Other Facts

There apparently had long been a debate over whether the flag was supposed to be square or rectangular. This was finally resolved in 1987 by then Attorney General Don Siegelman who decided that based on the most common usage, it would be officially rectangular going forward.

Symbols & Colors

• Blue:  Sky & forget-me-not flower
• North Star:  Future of the state
• Dipper:  Great bear & strength

Other Facts

The contest for determining the flag's current design was won by a seventh-grader, Benny Benson, out of 142 submissions.

Symbols & Colors

• Rays:  Setting sun & the 13 colonies
• Red & Yellow:  Spanish conquistadors
• Copper Star:  Copper production
• Blue:  Shared with the U.S. flag

Symbols & Colors

• Diamond:  First diamond producer
• 25 Stars:  25th State to join
• 3 Stars:  Spain, France, and the U.S.
• 1 Star:  Member of the Confederacy

Other Facts

Along with signifying that the area that is now Arkansas was once part of three countries, the three blues stars also represent 1803, the year of the Louisiana Purchase, as well as Arkansas being the third state formed from that purchase after Louisiana and Missouri.

Symbols & Colors

• White:  Purity
• Red:  Courage
• Grizzly:  Courage & strength
• Star:  Independence

Other Facts

The bear's name is "Monarch" and is based on a real bear that was held in captivity at Woodward's Gardens and then the Golden Gate Zoo, both in San Francisco. The image of the bear wasn't standardized until 1953 and is based on an 1855 watercolor by Charles Christian Nahl.

Symbols & Colors

• Gold:  Abundant sunshine & gold
• White:  Snow-capped mountains
• Blue:  Clear, vast skies
• Red:  Rich soil

Other Facts

The initial state flag was adopted in 1911, designed by Andrew Carlisle Johnson. However, the red and blue colors were not officially determined until 1929 and finally the size of the "C" was confirmed by the state General Assembly in 1964.

Motto

Qui Transtulit Sustine – He who transplanted still sustains

Symbols & Colors

• Grapevines:  Peace & good luck
• Vines:  Friendship

Other Facts

The three grapevines are thought to represent the three oldest settlements. Sources differ if they are meant to be the settlements of Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford or the three colonial foundings of Saybrook, New Haven, and Connecticut.

Symbols & Colors

• Ship:  Commerce
• Wheat, Ox, & Farmer:  Agriculture
• Solider:  Revolutionary War
• Diamond:  The Diamond State

Other Facts

According to legend, Thomas Jefferson allegedly called Delaware a "jewel among the states" because of its strategic location. This eventually turned into the state's nickname: "The Diamond State," but according to Monticello.org, this phrase has never been found in his writings.

Symbols & Colors

• 3 Stars:  3 commissioners
• 2 Stripes:  Senate & House of Reps.
• White:  Innocence of the people

Other Facts

In vexillology and heraldry, stars such as those seen on this flag ar called "mullets;" any form of a star with straight-edged radiating points. The three stars on this flag may represent three early commissioners who ran the district.

Symbols & Colors

• Woman:  Seminole tribe
• Sable Palm:  State tree
• Flowers:  Abundance of flowers
• Sun:  Land of sunshine
• Water:  Meeting of lakes & rivers
• Steamboat:  Industry & trade

Motto

Wisdom, Justice, Moderation

Symbols & Colors

• 13 stars:  One of the original colonies
• Arch:  State constitution
• Sword:  Defense of the constitution
• Pillars:  3 gov't branches

Symbols & Colors

• Stripes:  Eight major islands
• Union Jack:  British protectorate

Other Facts

It's speculated that the red, white, and blue colors of the flag were influenced not only by the U.S. and Britain, but by Hawaii's historical interactions with Russia and France.

Motto

Esto perpetua – It is forever

Symbols & Colors

• Woman:  Justice
• Man:  Mining
• Pine tree:  Timber
• Plowman:  Agricultural
• Cornucopias:  Horticultural
• Elk:  Game protection
• Wild Syringa:  State Flower

Motto

State Sovereignty, National Union

Symbols & Colors

• Eagle:  United States
• Shield:  Original 13 states
• Grass:  Expansive prairies

Other Facts

Post Civil War, Secretary Tyndale also wanted to reverse the motto to be "Nation Union, State Sovereignty," but the legislature refused to accept the change. Still the flag's designer, he reflected his preference by positioning the first half of the motto lower and flipping "Sovereignty" upside-down.

Symbols & Colors

• Torch:  Liberty & enlightenment
• Rays:  Far-reaching influence
• 13 stars:  Original 13 states
• 5 stars:  Next 5 states
• Large star:  19th state

Other Facts

The collection of stars collectively count out Indiana's position as the 19th state to join the union. 13 for the original colonies and then 5 more for Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Louisiana.

Motto

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

Symbols & Colors

• Blue:  Loyalty, justice, truth
• White:  Purity
• Red:  Courage

Other Facts

The flag was designed by Dixie Cornell Gebhardt. She was lauded by then Governor William Lloyd Harding as "Iowa's Betsy Ross."

Motto

Ad Astra per Aspera – To the Stars through Difficulties

Symbols & Colors

• Steamboat:  Commerce
• Rising Sun:  The East
• Sunflower:  State flower
• Wagon train:  American expansion
• Farmer & Cabin:  Future prosperity

Motto

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Symbols & Colors

• Goldenrod:  State flower
• Navy Blue:  Strength

Other Facts

The flag was formally adopted in March 1918 and was standardized in June 1962.

Motto

Union, Justice, Confidence

Symbols & Colors

• Pelican:  Dedication & sacrifice

Other Facts

An eighth-grader noticed that in older versions of the flag, the drops of blood were not always present, which was against tradition and so brought it to the attention of his state legislator. The three drops were formally added in 2006 by an act of the state legislature.

Motto

Dirigo – I direct

Symbols & Colors

• Pine tree:  Ship building industry
• Sailor:  Reliance on the sea
• Farmer:  Agriculture
• Moose:  State animal
• North Star:  Northern-most state

Other Facts

Maine does not define the official colors of the flag, so it is possible to find flags of different colorations.

Symbols & Colors

• Yellow & black:  Calvert (paternal)
• Red & White:  Crossland (maternal)

Other Facts

The flag symbolizes the reconciliation of the the state's citizens after the Civil War; those who supported the Union forces had adopted the yellow and black and those who supported the Confederacy had adopted the red and white. The flag represents their reunion and commitment to each other.

Motto

Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem – By the Sword We Seek Peace, but Peace Only Under Liberty

Symbols & Colors

• White star:  Part the original colonies
• Down pointing arrow:  Peace
• Arm and sword:  For "By the sword"

Other Facts

Thomas Little Shell, chief of a band of the Ojibwa tribe, was used as the face of the Native American man.

Motto

Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice – "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."

Symbols & Colors

• Tuebor:  I will defend (Latin)
• Man:  Peace and defense
• Eagle:  The U.S.
• Elk & Moose:  Michigan

Other Facts

The seal also contains the national motto: E Pluribus Unum – From many, one.

Symbols & Colors

• Dark blue:  Outline of the state
• Bright blue:  10,000 lakes
• Star:  L’étoile du Nord (North Star)

Other Facts

This is the newest flag design to be adopted by a state and is a distinct change from Minnesota's previous flag. The 8-point star gives the illusion of four letter M's and can also be found on the floor of the rotunda of the Minnesota State capitol building.

Symbols & Colors

• Gold star:  The indigenous peoples
• Magnolia:  Hospitality
• Blue:  Justice & perseverance
• Red:  Hardiness & valor
• Gold:  Rich cultural history

Other Facts

Lead designer Rocky Vaughan was also supported by other designers in a collaborative effort: Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles, Dominique Pugh, and Micah Whitson.

Motto

Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto – Let the good of the people be the supreme law

Symbols & Colors

• Red, White, & Blue:  The U.S. flag
• 24 stars:  24th state in the union
• Crescent:  Increasing people & wealth
• Bears:  Bravery & strength
• Knight helmet:  State sovereignty

Motto

Oro y Plata – Gold and Silver

Symbols & Colors

• Plow:  Agriculture
• Shovel & pick:  Mineral wealth

Other Facts

When Montana became a state in 1889, there was discussion to add more to the seal, but it was decided to leave the seal as it was for concern of it becoming overpopulated.

Motto

Equality Before the Law

Symbols & Colors

• Steamboat:  Commerce
• Blacksmith:  Mechanical arts
• Cabin, wheat, corn:  Agriculture
• Train:  Westward expansion

Motto

Battle Born

Symbols & Colors

• Silver star:  State nickname
• Sagebrush:  State flower

Other Facts

The more complex flag proposal was rejected, and a 1926 proposal offered a simplified flag, where the sagebrush wreath and the motto "Battle born" was added, reflecting the state's entry into the union during the Civil War. This became the state flag from 1929 to 1991.

Symbols & Colors

• Frigate:  The Navy & shipbuilding
• Boulder:  Rugged terrain & people
• Laurel wreath:  Honor & victory
• 9 stars:  9th state
• Water:  Harbor of Portsmouth

Other Facts

This state flag is the only one that depicts a flag of the United States.

Motto

Liberty and Prosperity

Symbols & Colors

• Helmet & Horse:  Independent state
• Lady Liberty & staff:  Freedom
• Ceres & cornucopia:  Abundance
• Plows on Shield:  Agriculture

Other Facts

The cap on the staff that Lady Liberty holds is a stylized Phrygian cap, commonly warn in ancient Eastern Europe, Anatolia, and Asia and symbolizes freedom and liberty.

Symbols & Colors

• Sun icon:  Zia tribe
• Red & yellow:  Old Spain

Other Facts

The Zia also believe that humankind has four sacred obligations: developing a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit, and a devotion to the welfare of others.

Motto

Excelsior – Ever upward

Symbols & Colors

• Eagle:  Western hemisphere
• Lady Liberty & staff:  Freedom
• Lady Justice:  Impartial justice
• Phrygian cap:  Freedom & liberty
• Crown:  Freedom from the monarchy

Other Facts

The Phrygian cap has roots in ancient Rome and Greece, and a version of it was used to denote a freed slave or possibly a foreigner.

Symbols & Colors

• Blue:  Justice & perseverance
• Red:  Hardiness & valor
• White:  Purity & innocence

Other Facts

The May 1775 date refers to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, when the residents of the county allegedly declared independence from Great Britain, preceding the Declaration of Independence. The April 1776 date is for the Halifax Resolves, the resolution that was the first official call to action for the colonies separate from Great Britain.

Motto

E Pluribus Unum – From many, one

Symbols & Colors

• Olive branch:  Peace
• Stars & Stripe:  The first colonies
• Fan shaped rays:  Birth of the U.S.

Other Facts

A banner with the national coat of arms was carried by all infantry regiments in the late 1800s to early 1900s, which is why the North Dakota flag so closely matches the federal icon.

Symbols & Colors

• Triangles:  Hills & valleys
• Stripes:  Road & waterways
• 17 stars:  17th state
• "O":  Ohio & buckeye

Other Facts

Architect and designer John Eisenmann of the Ohio State Pan-American Exposition Commission came up with the design. The "O" represents not just the name Ohio, but also the distinctive nut of the buckeye tree, common in the state.

Symbols & Colors

• Blue:  Loyalty & devotion
• Osage Shield:  Defense of the state
• Cross/Stars:  High ideals
• Calumet & olive branch:  Peace

Other Facts

The calumet is a ceremonial pipe, sacred to many Native America tribes.

Symbols & Colors

• 1859:  Year of statehood
• 35 stars:  35 state

Other Facts

The Portland based department store Meier & Frank made the first flag, sewn by Blanche Cox and Marjorie Kennedy.

Motto

Virtue, Liberty and Independence

Symbols & Colors

• Ship:  Commerce
• Plow:  Natural resources
• Wheat:  Wealth of thoughts & actions
• Olive branch:  Peace
• Corn stalk:  Prosperity
• Eagle:  Loyalty to the U.S.
• Horses:  Support

Symbols & Colors

• White Star:  Commonwealth
• Blue Triangle:  Sky & ocean
• Red stripes:  Blood
• White stripes:  Liberty & rights of man

Other Facts

The three sides of the blue triangle also represent the three parts of Puerto Rico's republican form of government. The shade of the blue may vary, as there is no official shade of blue defined for it.

Motto

Hope

Symbols & Colors

• Gold Anchor:  Hope & Stability
• 13 stars:  13th state

Other Facts

The first non-military version of the flag was approved in 1877, then simplified in 1882 to add the ring of stars that signify the state's ranking as the thirteenth to join the union.

Symbols & Colors

• Palmetto:  State tree

Other Facts

Colonel William Moultrie provided the palmetto and crescent design, the tree symbolizing the defense of a palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island against the British fleet in 1776 and the crescent worn on the caps of his troops. The blue matches the color of the uniforms of the troops.

Motto

Under God the People Rule

Symbols & Colors

• Sun motif:  State weather
• Riverboat:  Commerce
• Farmer:  Agriculture
• Mine:  Industry
• Hills & Cattle:  Natural resources

Symbols & Colors

• 3 Stars:  The 3 divisions of the state
• Circle:  The indissoluble trinity

Other Facts

The concept of the "indissoluble trinity" comes from the flags designer, LeRoy Reeves, a member the Tennessee Infantry Third Regiment. They represent the legally distinct Grand Divisions of Tennessee: East, Middle, and West.

Symbols & Colors

• Red:  Bravery
• Blue:  Loyalty
• White:  Purity

Other Facts

The actual designer of the Lone Star Flag is unknown, but may have been one Senator William H. Wharton with the flag's design in a bill that he introduced in 1838.

Symbols & Colors

• Blue:  Wide-open skies & lakes
• White:  Snow-capped mountains
• Red:  Perseverance & rocky canyons
• Gold hexagon:  Prosperity & strength
• Beehive:  Community & industry
• Star:  Hope & the 45th state

Other Facts

The former state flag will continue to be flown in the Utah State Capitol in an official capacity for ceremonies, special events, and legislative sessions.

Motto

Freedom and Unity

Symbols & Colors

• Cow:  Dairy farming
• Grain sheaf:  Agriculture
• Pine tree:  Forests
• Deer head:  Wildlife

Motto

Sic semper tyrannis – Thus always to tyrants

Symbols & Colors

• Standing woman:  Virtue
• Fallen man:  Tyranny

Other Facts

The woman has an exposed breast, a classical depiction of an Amazon, and is the only state flag to show a form of toplessness.

Other Facts

The first state seal used for the flag was designed by jeweler Charles Talcott of Olympia. Apparently he used an ink bottle and silver dollar to draw the rings and pasted a postage stamp of of George Washington in the center.

Motto

Montani Semper Liberi – Mountaineers are Always Free

Symbols & Colors

• Farmer with Axe:  Farming
• Miner with Pick:  Industry
• Cap & rifles:  Freedom won by force

Other Facts

The large laurel wreath is that of Rhododendron maximum, as species of flower native to the Appalachians.

Motto

Forward

Symbols & Colors

• Sailor:  Labor on sea
• Yeoman:  Labor on land
• Badger:  State animal
• Plow:  Agriculture
• Pick & shovel:  Mining
• Arm & hammer:  Labor
• Anchor:  Navigation
• Cornucopia:  Prosperity & abundance
• Pyramid of Lead:  Mineral wealth
• 13 stars:  Original 13 states

Motto

Equal rights

Symbols & Colors

• Bison:  Local fauna
• Red:  Indians & pioneers
• White:  Purity & uprightness
• Blue:  Fidelity & justice
• Man:  Livestock & mining
• 44:  44th state

Other Facts

The motto of Wyoming is a reminder that Wyoming was the first state to grant equal voting and office-holding rights to women in its constitution.