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State Flag Design and History, A-M
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Alabama
The flag of Alabama was authorized by Alabama’s state legislature on February 16, 1895. It consists of a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a white field. It is stipulated that the bars of the cross were to be not less than six inches broad and were to extend diagonally across the flag from side to side. As the legislature did not specify either a square or a rectangular flag, both shapes are acceptable for the Alabama State Flag.
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Alaska
Alaska’s State Flag was created during the time in which Alaska was still a territory of the United States. In January of 1927 the Alaskan Department of the American Legion circulated rules for a design contest throughout the territory. The winning entry was submitted by thirteen year old John Bell (Benny) Benson. The design included a blue background to represent the sky and the Forget-Me-Not flower. Eight gold stars were placed on that background to represent the Big Dipper and the North Star. The Big Dipper forms part of the constellation Ursa Major or Great Bear which symbolizes strength. The North Star represents the future state of Alaska, the most northerly in the Union. The design was adopted by the Alaska Territorial Legislature in May, 1927.
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Arizona
The Arizona State Flag was designed in 1910 by Colonel Charles W. Harris of the Arizona National Guard and Carl Hayden, a U.S. Congressional Representative from the state of Arizona. The flag is divided into a top and bottom half with a large five point copper star in the center. The top half of the flag refers to the 13 original colonies of the United States and the western setting sun. The copper star in the center of the flag was due to Arizona’s status as the largest copper producing state in the union. The lower half of the flag is a field of Liberty Blue, the same blue found in the flag of the United States. The red rays of the setting sun are also the same shade of red found in the United States' flag. The blue and the yellow are the Arizona state colors. The red and yellow colors found in the rays are also representative of the flag of Spain which was flown by the Spanish Conquistadores led by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado during the early exploration and colonization of America. The Arizona State Flag was adopted by the Arizona State Legislature on February 17, 1917.
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Arkansas
The Arkansas State Flag was adopted in its present form in 1924 by the Arkansas State Legislature. The colors of the Arkansas state flag are the same red, white, and blue as the United States flag. The blue diamond on the red field is to signify that Arkansas is the only state in which diamonds have been discovered and mined. The twenty-five white stars in the blue band represent Arkansas as the twenty-fifth state admitted to the union. The topmost of the four blue stars in the center of the interior white diamond and above the word Arkansas on the flag represents that Arkansas was a member of the Confederate States during the Civil War. The three stars below the word Arkansas on the flag represent Spain, France and the United States, countries that had earlier claimed the land that includes Arkansas.
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California
The State Flag of California is based on the California Republic Flag which was designed by William L. Todd and first flown by Sonoma settlers revolting against the rule of Mexico in 1846. That flag featured a brown star and a brown bear in the upper left hand corner of a white flag with the words "California Republic" underneath. A red band extended across the length of the flag at the bottom. The star was taken from the lone star of Texas. The Bear was representative of the numerous Grizzly Bears in the state. The current California State Flag was re-designed and adopted by the state legislature in 1911.
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Colorado
Colorado’s state flag consists of three alternating horizontal stripes of equal width, the two outer stripes are the same blue as the blue field of the United States flag and the middle stripe is white. At a distance from the staff end of the flag of one fifth of the total length of the flag there is a circular red C, of the same color as the red stripes of the flag of the United States. The diameter of the letter "C" is two thirds the width of the flag, the inner line of the letter being three fourths the width of its body and the outer line double the length of the inner line of the letter. The center of the letter "C" is filled with the color gold. The gold represents the abundant sunshine enjoyed by the state. The blue symbolizes the clear blue skies of Colorado. White represents the snow capped mountains of the state and red represents the color of much of the state's soil. The Colorado State Flag was adopted in its final form in 1911.
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Connecticut
The flag of Connecticut has a field of azure blue on which is an ornamental white shield with three grapevines, each bearing three bunches of purple grapes. The state’s motto Qui Transtulit Sustinet which translates to “He Who Transplanted Still Sustains” is displayed on a white ribbon beneath the shield. The vines stand for the first settlements of English people who began to move from Massachusetts in the 1630's. It is thought by some that the number of supported grape vines represents three colonies, New Haven, Saybrook and Connecticut (Hartford), which merged as "Connecticut" by 1665. These settlements were thought of as grapevines that had been transplanted. The border of the shield is adorned with natural-colored clusters of white oak leaves (Quercus alba) bearing acorns. The Connecticut State Flag was adopted 1897 and slightly modified in 1990.
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Delaware
The Delaware State Flag has a diamond of buff color centered on a field of colonial blue within which the coat of arms of the state is placed. At the bottom of the flag, below the diamond are the words "December 7, 1787" indicating the day on which Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States. The shades of buff and colonial blue represent those of the uniform of General George Washington and his soldiers. On the coat of arms, the importance of commerce (the ship) and agriculture (wheat, corn, the ox and the farmer) to the state are recognized. Tribute is also paid to the revolutionary war soldiers. The words in the ribbon banner on the coat of arms read Liberty and Independence. The State Flag of Delaware was adopted on July 24, 1913.
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District of Columbia
The District of Columbia Flag consists of three red stars above two red stripes on a white field. The design was taken from George Washington's Coat of Arms. The three stars are also said to represent the three federal branches of government which are seated in our nation’s capital: legislative, executive, and judicial. A joint meeting of the Flag Commission and the Commission on Fine Arts for the District of Columbia approved the District of Columbia Flag for use in October of 1938.
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Florida
Florida’s state flag consists of a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a white field. The Florida state seal is positioned at the intersection of the cross. The seal features a brilliant sun, a cabbage palmetto tree, a steamboat sailing, and a Native American Seminole woman scattering flowers which represent the land of sunshine, flowers, palm trees, rivers and lakes. The Florida State Flag was adopted in 1899.
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Georgia
The Georgia State Flag consists of a square canton on three horizontal bars of equal width. The top and bottom bands are scarlet and the middle band is white. The bottom scarlet band extends the entire length of the flag. The top two bands extend from the canton to the end of the flag. Centered in the square blue canton is a gold representation of the Georgia Coat of Arms. On the Coat of Arms, three pillars support an arch over which the word “Constitution” is written. The pillars represent the three branches of government; legislative, judicial and executive. The Constitution’s principles of “Wisdom,” “Justice,” and “Moderation” appear in banners wrapped around the pillars. A soldier with sword drawn is defending the Constitution. Directly under the coat of arms are the words “In God We Trust.” Thirteen white five-pointed stars circle the coat of arms and denote Georgia's position as one of the original thirteen colonies. The Georgia State Flag was adopted by the Georgia Legislature on May 8, 2003 and accepted in referendum by the people of Georgia on March 2, 2004.
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Hawaii
The Hawaii State Flag was designed at the request of King Kamehameha I in 1816. It has eight stripes of white, red, and blue that represent the eight main islands. The Union Jack of Great Britain is emblazoned in the upper left corner to honor Hawaii's historic friendship with the British. The combination of the stripes of the United States flag and the Union Jack of Great Britain is said to have pleased the merchant shippers of both nations. The flag was officially re-commissioned and dedicated at the opening of the Kingdoms Legislature on May 20, 1945.
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Idaho
The Idaho State Flag has a field of blue on which is positioned the Idaho State Seal. A red banner, three inches wide and bordered in gold is directly under the seal. On the banner are the words "State of Idaho." On the Idaho State Seal, the woman represents liberty, justice, and equality. The man is a miner. The images on the shield represent the main industries of forestry, farming, and mining. The cornucopias, or horns of plenty, are symbols of abundance. The elk’s head represents wildlife. Esto perpetua (Let it be perpetual) appears in a banner over the elk’s head. The Idaho State Flag was adopted by the Idaho State Legislature in 1907.
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Illinois
The Illinois flag is a representation of the Great Seal of Illinois against a white background. The Great Seal consists of the Bald Eagle, representing the United States, holding a red streamer in its beak. The State Motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union" appears on the streamer and means that Illinois governs itself under the government of the United States. In the Bald Eagle's talons is a shield with thirteen bars and thirteen stars representing the original thirteen colonies. The date Illinois was admitted to the Union and the date of the State Seal are printed on the boulder. The ground around the boulder symbolizes the rich soil of the prairie state of Illinois. The flag was adopted by the State Legislature in 1915. In 1969, the General Assembly voted to add the word "Illinois" in blue capital letters under the Great Seal of the flag to ensure that people not familiar with the Great Seal of Illinois would still recognize the banner.
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Indiana
The field of the Indiana State Flag is blue with nineteen stars and a flaming torch in gold or buff. The flaming torch stands for Liberty and Enlightenment. Thirteen stars are arranged in an outer circle and represent the original thirteen states; five stars are arranged in a half circle below the torch and inside the outer circle of stars and represent the states admitted prior to Indiana; and the nineteenth star, which is appreciably larger than the others and represents Indiana is placed above the flame of the torch. The outer circle of stars is arranged so that one star appears directly in the middle at the top of the circle. The word "Indiana" is placed in a half circle over and above that star and midway between it and the star in the center above it. Rays are shown radiating from the torch to the three stars on each side of the star in the upper center of the circle and are meant to symbolize the expansive nature of Liberty and Enlightenment. The state flag of Indiana was adopted by the Indiana General Assembly in 1917.
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Iowa
The State Flag of Iowa was designed by Mrs. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt. The flag consists of three vertical stripes of blue, white and red. As well as a reference to the colors of the United States, the color blue stands for loyalty, justice and truth; the white stands for purity; and the red for courage. On the white center stripe is a bald eagle carrying a blue streamer in its beak. The state motto "Our Liberties We Prize, and Our Rights We Will Maintain" is written on the streamer. The state name “Iowa” is emblazoned in red letters below the eagle. The Iowa State Flag was adopted by the state legislature in 1921.
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Kansas
The field of the Kansas State Flag is navy blue. At the top of the flag appears the state crest, which consists of a sunflower resting on a twisted blue and gold bar which represents the Louisiana Purchase. The Kansas State Seal is centered on the flag underneath the crest and the word "Kansas" in gold block lettering lies centered below that. The Kansas State Seal has thirty-four stars clustered at the top of the seal identify Kansas as the 34th state to be accepted into the Union. Above the stars is printed the state motto, Ad Astra per Aspera, which means To the Stars through Difficulties. On the seal a sunrise overshadows a farmer plowing a field near his log cabin, a steamboat sailing the Kansas River, a wagon train with oxen heading west, and Native Americans hunting bison. The Kansas State Flag was officially adopted by the Kansas State Legislature in 1927.
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Kentucky
The field of the Kentucky State Flag is navy blue. Centered on the field is the state seal consisting of a pioneer and a statesman shaking hands which is meant to represent all of the people of Kentucky. They are acting out the meaning of Kentucky's motto: "United We Stand; Divided We Fall" which is written above and below them on the seal. The seal of the Commonwealth is encircled by a wreath, the lower half of which is goldenrod in bloom and the upper half of which is comprised of the words "Commonwealth of Kentucky," centered over the seal. The Kentucky State Flag was adopted 1918 amended in 1928 and 1962.
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Louisiana
The design of the Louisiana State Flag in use today originated from an 1800 design. It displays the state bird, the Eastern Brown Pelican, from the state seal, in white and gold, on a field of blue. The mother pelican is shown tearing flesh from her own breast to feed her three young. Louisiana’s nickname is “The Pelican State” and pelicans were thought of by early settlers to be especially nurturing and generous birds. Louisiana's motto, "Union, Justice and Confidence" is printed in blue letters on a white and gold banner below the pelicans. The Flag of the State of Louisiana was officially adopted by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1912.
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Maine
The Maine State Flag has a blue field of the same blue color displayed by the flag of the United States. In the center of the flag is the Maine State Coat of Arms. The Maine State Coat of Arms consists of a shield upon which the following are pictured: a moose resting beneath a tall pine tree, land, and sea. On one side of the shield, a seaman leans on an anchor and on the other, a farmer rests on a scythe. Above the shield the Maine state motto, Dirigo (I lead), is displayed in small upper case letters on a banner beneath the North Star. Below the shield on a blue banner is the name of the state, "Maine." The State Flag of Maine was officially adopted in its current form by the state legislature on February 23, 1909.
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Maryland
The Maryland State Flag is the only state flag based on heraldic emblems. The Maryland State Flag contains the family crests of the Calvert and either the Crossland or Mynne families. Maryland was founded as an English colony in 1634 by Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. The black and gold designs belong to the Calvert family. The red and white designs belonged to either Calvert’s maternal side - the Crossland family, or his wife’s family - the Mynnes. The arms of the Calvert and Crosslands (Mynne) families are displayed in diagonally opposing quadrants of the flag. The Maryland State Flag was officially adopted in 1904.
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Massachusetts
The State Flag of Massachusetts consists of a white field with the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on it. The coat of arms is comprised of a blue shield (which represents the Blue Hills of Canton and Milton, Massachusetts) with an Indian dressed in a shirt, leggings, and moccasins on it. He holds a gold bow in one hand and a gold arrow in the other hand. The point of the arrow is pointed down to indicate a friendly demeanor. In the upper right hand corner of the shield is a white five-pointed star which represents Massachusetts as one of the thirteen original colonies of the United States. Above the shield on a gold wreath is a right arm, bent at the elbow and grasping a gold broadsword. The motto of the Commonwealth is printed in gold on the blue ribbon partially surrounding the blue shield. Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem means by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty. The design for the Massachusetts State Flag was approved on June 2, 1971 and took effect on November 1, 1971.
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Michigan
Michigan’s State Flag is made up of the Michigan Coat of Arms on a navy blue field. The coat of arms consist of a shield on which is pictured a lake with a yellow sun rising over blue waters. A man is standing on a peninsula with a raised hand and holding a gun which represents peace and the ability to defend one’s rights. An Elk and a Moose support the shield between them and a Bald Eagle grasps an olive branch and arrows in its talons and is shown above the shield. The elk and moose are symbols of Michigan, while the eagle represents the United States. Three mottos are shown on the coat of arms: E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One), Tuebor (I will defend), and Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you). The Michigan State Flag was adopted by public act in 1911.
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Minnesota
The Minnesota State Flag has a medium blue field with a circular emblem with a white background and a yellow border centered on it. Within the circular emblem an inner circle surrounds scenes from the Minnesota State Seal displayed on a field of medium blue matching that of the general flag. The inner circle is surrounded by 19 five pointed stars representing Minnesota as the 19th state, after the original 13 colonies, to join the union. The stars are arranged in four groups of four stars and one group of three stars at the top of the circle. The top star represents the North Star and Minnesota itself. The five star groups represent a five pointed star. The word Minnesota is printed in red letters below the inner circle. The scenes from the Minnesota State Seal include a bare-footed farmer plowing a field as a Native American rides nearby. The farmer's axe, gun and powderhorn are shown resting on a stump. The field borders a river with a waterfall. Around the scenes is a wreath of intertwined pink and white lady slippers (the state flower) and a red ribbon. Printed in gold letters on the red ribbon are the dates 1819 (the year in which Fort Snelling was established), 1893 (the year that the official flag was adopted), and L'etoile Du Nord (Star of the North), the Minnesota State Motto. Over the seal in gold letters is the date 1858; the date that Minnesota was admitted to the union. The Minnesota State Flag in its current form was adopted in 1893.
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Mississippi
The Mississippi State Flag consists of a Union Square in the canton corner and a field divided into three bars of equal width. The top bar is blue, the middle bar is white, and the bottom bar, extending the entire width of the flag, is red. The Union Square is comprised of a red field upon which a white diagonal cross is overlaid and then a blue diagonal cross upon that. The thirteen white stars on the cross (saltire) correspond to the number of the original States of the Union, rather than the thirteen states of the Confederate States of America. The field of the Mississippi flag consists of the same three bars of the first Confederate flag, the Stars and Bars, but the top stripe is blue. These three bars represent the national colors of the United States. The current Mississippi State Flag was adopted by the Mississippi legislature in February of 1894.
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Missouri
The State Flag of Missouri has a field of three horizontal bars of equal width that extend the length of the flag. The top bar is red, the middle bar is white, and the bottom bar is blue. These stripes represent valor, purity and vigilance, and justice. Centered on the flag is a circle is surrounded by a band of blue enclosing the Missouri Coat of Arms on a white background. The blue band displays 24 white five-pointed stars representing Missouri as the 24th state. The stars on the coat of arms have the same meaning. T he shield of the Missouri Coat of Arms shows a Bald Eagle grasping the olive branches of peace and the arrows of war in its talons representing the strength and powers of the Federal Government. On the left side of the shield is a grizzly bear and a crescent moon representing strength and bravery and the fact that Missouri was the "second son (sun)”, respectively. Missouri was the second state to be carved from the territory acquired by Louisiana Purchase. The shield is encircled by a belt inscribed United We Stand, Divided We Fall. Two more grizzly bears stand on each side of the shield. They are standing on a scroll displaying the Missouri State Motto Salus populi suprema lex esto (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law). Below the scroll are the Roman Numerals for 1820, the year that Missouri became a member of the United States. Above the shield is a helmet which represents Missouri as a sovereign state. The cloud around the stars above the helmet represents the difficulties that Missouri endured on its way to statehood. This design became the official Missouri State Flag on March 22, 1913.
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Montana
The Montana State Flag consists of a blue field with the state seal centered over it. The word Montana is written in gold block letters over the seal. The Montana state seal depicts some of Montana's beautiful scenery and reflects the pioneering history of the state. Nature scenes include a brilliant sun over snowy mountains, forests, cliffs and the Great Falls of the Missouri River. Also pictured are a pick, a shovel and a plow which represent Montana's mining and farming past and present. The state motto Oro y Plata (Spanish for Gold and Silver) is displayed on a ribbon at the bottom of the seal. The Montana State Flag was adopted in 1905 amended in 1981 and 1985.
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