What are the Most Memorable State Flags?

Did you know that each of the 50 states has its own flag? Of these 50, some seem to be more memorable than others. That isn't to say one is better than another, but instead that a few seem to stand out and are memorable for some reason or other. Which state flag catches your attention most?

Before going over some of the more memorable state flags, we want to mention that each flag has a carefully crafted message using colors, images, symbols, and text. The flags that tend to stand out also often have an interesting story or meaning.

Even if you've never visited Texas before, the “Lone Star State” has one of America’s most recognizable state flags. The flag originally dates to the 1870s, when that state was acting as a short-lived Republic. The blue in the Texas flag represents the same thing as the blue in the United States flag: loyalty. The white represents purity, and the red symbolizes bravery.

The flag of Hawaii is the only state flag that features the flag of another nation in its design, and also looks similar to the flag of the United States at first glance. Hawaii's state flag has eight stripes (two of which are blue). Hawaii also has the Union Jack image where the stars on the US flag should be; this area is called the canton or union. The eight stripes are meant to represent the major islands of Hawaii. Some argue that the Union Jack portion of the design is a tribute to King George the Third.

Alaska's flag stands out because of its simple elegance. Many flags are colorful, whereas the Alaska flag has a simple, single-color background and several stars. The stars on the flag are taken from the constellation of the Big Dipper and the North Star (Polaris). It was designed by a 13-year-old boy named Benny Benson decades before Alaska even became an official state. The blue represents the sky, as well as a native Alaskan flower (the forget-me-not).

Ohio’s flag is the only flag that is not rectangular in shape. The flag of Ohio comes to form two “tails” at its fly end, forming a shape that is commonly referred to as a swallowtail. As you can imagine, folding the flag is quite a challenge, and the state has official guidelines on how to properly fold the flag. It is a 17-step process, symbolizing the fact that Ohio was the 17^th state admitted to the Union.

Finally, another memorable state flag is the one of Oregon, which features a different design on each side of the flag. On the front, you can see the state seal’s elements (properly called its escutcheon), while on the back there is a gold beaver, which is the state animal of Oregon. Formerly, Massachusetts also had a different design on its flag’s backside, but in 1971 was removed.