Most people know that each of the 50 states in the USA has its own special state flag. Not everyone really knows what their own state flag looks like, however; and even fewer know all the other states' unique, eclectic and creative designs.
I've taken what I think are the 8 coolest state flag designs - and recreated them using vintage license plates belonging to each one. Enjoy!
#8: Michigan
I simply have to include
The Great Lakes State for a couple reasons: I was born and raised here, and the rich blues and browns really make for a handsome, rustic design.
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#7: New Mexico
The memorable
flag of New Mexico consists of a red sun symbol of the Zia on a field of yellow, and was officially introduced in 1925. It was designed in 1920, to highlight the state's Native American Pueblo and Nuevo México Hispano roots. The colors evoke the flags of Habsburg Spain and the Crown of Aragon, brought by the conquistadors.
Free Tidbit: It is one of four U.S. state flags not to contain the color blue.
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#6: Maryland
The slightly-confusing official
flag of the state of Maryland consists of the heraldic banner of George Calvert, Lord Baltimore. It is the only US state flag to be directly based on English heraldry. You won’t be mistaking it for any other state’s flag, that’s for sure!
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#5: South Carolina
The
flag of South Carolina has existed in some form since 1775, being based on one of the first Revolutionary War flags. The palmetto is a reference to the defense of Sullivan's Island, the fortress which survived largely because the palmettos, laid over sand walls, were able to withstand British cannons. Pretty cool!
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#4: Texas
The Texas flag is known as the
Lone Star Flag. The current design of the flag was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838. The flag, flown at homes and businesses statewide, is highly popular among Texans and is treated with a great degree of reverence and esteem within Texas. Don’t mess with Texas! Or this flag.
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#3: Arizona
The
flag of Arizona consists of 13 rays of red and weld-yellow on the top half, the colors of the flag of Spain, representing the 13 original states. The red and yellow also symbolize Arizona's picturesque sunsets. The copper star represents the copper mining industry in Arizona. The rest of the flag is colored blue, representing the Colorado River. Full of symbolism, and pretty to look at!
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#2: Colorado
The
flag of the state of Colorado consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width; the top and bottom stripes are blue, and the middle stripe white. On top of these stripes sits a circular red "C", filled with a golden disk. The blue is meant to represent the skies, the gold stands for the sunshine enjoyed by the state, the white represents the snowcapped mountains, and the red represents the ruddy colored earth. Another gorgeous flag full of symbolism. Second place ain’t bad, Coloradans!
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#1: California
The
Bear Flag is the official flag of the state of California. There is a red star in the upper left corner and a grizzly bear facing left in the center, walking on a patch of green grass. The five-point star is taken from the California Lone Star Flag of 1836. The bear on the current flag of California is claimed to have been modeled on the last Californian grizzly bear in captivity. The bear, named "Monarch", was captured in 1889 by newspaper reporter Allen Kelley, at the behest of William Randolph Hearst and is preserved at the Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park. An iconic flag notably different than all the others - worthy of our first place state flag ranking!
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