What Does the American Flag Mean?
USA Flag History
We all know that the fifty stars represent the fifty states, and the stripes represent the original thirteen colonies. We also know that Betsy Ross made the first flag. But did you know that George Washington commissioned her to make it after a few other men and Washington drew on a piece of parchment what they wanted? Betsy Ross wasn't thrilled to take on this responsibility, and her initial response was, "I don't know, but I can try." Here are more facts that you probably did not know about the stars, the stripes, the colors, the folds, and the meaning behind it all.
First Flag of the United States
Stars On the United States Flag
Throughout history, the number of stars on the flag has changed. As each state joined the United States of America, another star was added. On July 4, 1960, Hawaii was the final star that completed the flag that we know today.
The shape of the star chosen to represent each state was a unique decision. Prior to the end of the 18th century, six, seven, and eight pointed stars were more commonplace than the five pointed star. Some speculate that the five-pointed star was chosen to further separate the United States from Europe. Another theory is that Betsy Ross came up with the five-pointed star because it was easier to do with one snip of the scissors than a six pointed star. No one knows for sure, but the five-pointed star was a unique decision that allows our flag to be that much more special to Americans.
How Many Stars Were on the Flag?
Year
| Number of Stars
| States Added
|
|---|---|---|
1777-1795
| 13
| Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia
|
1795-1818
| 15
| Kentucky and Vermont
|
1818-1819
| 20
| Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee
|
1819-1820
| 21
| Illinois
|
1820-1822
| 23
| Alabama and Maine
|
1822-1836
| 24
| Missouri
|
1836-1837
| 25
| Arkansas
|
1837-1845
| 26
| Michigan
|
1845-1846
| 27
| Florida
|
1846-1847
| 28
| Texas
|
1847-1848
| 29
| Iowa
|
1848-1851
| 30
| Wisconsin
|
1851-1858
| 31
| California
|
1858-1859
| 32
| Minnesota
|
1859-1861
| 33
| Oregon
|
1861-1863
| 34
| Kansas
|
1863-1865
| 35
| West Virginia
|
1865-1867
| 36
| Nevada
|
1867-1877
| 37
| Nebraska
|
1877-1890
| 38
| Colorado
|
1890-1891
| 43
| Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington
|
1891-1896
| 44
| Wyoming
|
1896-1908
| 45
| Utah
|
1908-1912
| 46
| Oklahoma
|
1912-1959
| 48
| Arizona, and New Mexico
|
1959-1960
| 49
| Alaska
|
1960-NOW
| 50
| Hawaii
|
Stripes on the American Flag
The thirteen stripes on each flag are always seven red and six white. Prior to 1916, there was no consistency about whether the flag had six or seven red stripes. No one knows for sure if there was a reason that seven red stripes were chosen, although some may wonder if it had anything to do with keeping the edges of the flag clean, since white shows dirt more easily than red. Not a very patriotic reason, but a very logical answer.
As for the stripes themselves, they stand for the first thirteen colonies. They include:
- Virginia (1607)
- New Jersey (1618)
- Massachusetts (1620)
- New Hampshire (1622)
- Pennsylvania (1623)
- New York (1624)
- Maryland (1634)
- Connecticut (1635)
- Rhode Island (1636)
- Delaware (1638)
- North Carolina (1653)
- South Carolina (1670)
- Georgia (1733)
I Pledge Allegiance to the United States
I pledge allegiance
to the flag
of the United States
of America,
and to the republic
for which it stands,
one nation under God,
indivisible,
with liberty
and justice for all.
Colors of the Flag
The colors were deliberately chosen to represent a theme that our founding fathers felt was important to the building of our nation.
- Red stands for courage, hardiness, and bloodshed. Courage because our country is based on the courage of separating from what we once knew, courage of starting over, courage of fighting for our freedom. Hardiness because our founding fathers believed our country will outlast the land that we came from. Finally, blood shed to honor all those who lost their life for our freedom and our country.
- White stands for purity and vigilance: purity because our country is independent and is not corrupted by any other country. Vigilance because our country needs to be alert and careful in the choices we make.
- Blue stands for justice and perseverance: justice because it is the basis of our country, and perseverance because although our nation is young, we will stand strong against all opposition.
American Flag
Folding the Flag
Whenever the United States of America's flag is folded, there is a symbol behind each fold and tuck. It is not random, but very purposeful. This is one reason why they will fold an American flag at a veteren's funeral.
They always fold the flag so that way only the blue and white stars can be seen. One reason they do this is so that none of the red shows, because it stands for the blood shed. We want to remember the person's perseverance and vigilance, not the loss of the person.
Even the shape is considered when folding the flag. It is in the shape of a triangle so that it symbolizes the hat worn by Revolutionary soldiers. It is because of these men that we have our freedom and our rights.
What Does Each Fold In the American Flag Mean?
- Fold One - Symbol of life
- Fold Two - Symbol of belief in eternal life
- Fold Three - Honor and remembrance of veterans
- Fold Four - Symbol of our weaker nature
- Fold Five - Tribute to the United States of America
- Fold Six - Symbol of our hearts and devotion
- Fold Seven - Tribute to the Armed Forces
- Fold Eight - For those who went into the "Valley of the Shadow of Death"
- Fold Nine - Tribute to womanhood and its giving and nurturing nature
- Fold Ten - Tribute to our fathers who gave their sons to protect our land
- Fold Eleven - Dedication to Jews and represents the bottom of the Seal of King David and King Solomon
- Fold Twelve - Represents the Christian and glorifies God.
Do You Feel That America Is the Land of the Free?
Sources
© 2012 Angela Michelle Schultz
Comments
- Author
Thank you, I will correct that!
Hi Angela, good information as well as Scott updates. I wanted to point out one thing I noticed, Tennessee is misspelled on the 1818-1819 20 stars on the states added. Just FYI
Several statements offer misrepresented or ill-researched information. The statement about the stars is flat out wrong. The stars are called "mullets" from ancient heraldry. The United States Army Institute of Heraldry is the official heraldic authority for the US:
In heraldry, the term star may refer to any star-shaped charge with any number of rays, which may appear straight or wavy, and may or may not be pierced. While there has been much confusion between the two due to their similar shape, a star with straight-sided rays is usually called a mullet (or "molet") while one with wavy rays is usually called an estoile.
While a mullet may have any number of points, it is presumed to have five unless otherwise specified in the blazon. Estoiles, however, are presumed to have six rays and have not been found pierced. [Five-pointed] pierced mullets are called spur revel, while ones that are not pierced are called a star.
Blasons (shields & flags) and crests go back to early medieval history.
Not only do shapes have meanings in heraldry, but so do colors. 1777 June 14 – the Continental Congress adopts the following: "_Resolved_, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, silver in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
The House of Representatives publishes a book about the flag: "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."
The color of red represents the blood spilled and valor of the people that fought and died to create the new nation, white signifies purity and innocence of the new nation, blue the infinite vastness of the creator, and silver the strength and integrity of the individual states joined together shining and reflecting their oneness in the new light.
According to the Institute of Hearaldry, “The placing of a fringe on Our Flag is optional with the person of organization, and no Act of Congress or Executive Order either prohibits the practice. Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags on outdoor flags would deteriorate rapidly. The fringe on a Flag is considered and honorable enrichment only'.” It has been said that the gold color represents the richness of the natural resources of this nation.
The claim that the seamstress Elizabeth “Betsy” Griscom-Ross sewed the first American flag is widely discredited by historians. It is a popular legend promulgated by her descendants, specifically her grandson, William J. Canby, who stated before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that Ross told him on her deathbed that she made the first American flag by hand. There is proof that she did make flags for the Pennsylvania State Navy and there are receipts which show her compensation for those flags.
U.S. Flag etiquette: http://www.military.com/flag-day/flag-ettiquette-d...
It was good what you said and It gave me a lot of information
this was awsome
- Author
Thank you for letting me know. I will look into that and possibly make those adjustments.
Great historical information. However, that is not the original pledge of allegiance from 1892. It is: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands- one nation indivisible-with liberty and justice for all."
This was wonderful!!!
I decided to look up the meaning regarding the American Flag after seeing a post on Facebook about wanting to punish people who burn the American Flag. My Nephew was one of five killed about three weeks ago in Afghanistan, being blown up by a suicide bomber who walked in to the Bagram base there heading for the Pavillion with several hundred soldiers waiting to do a post Veterans day run. Being startled by my Nephew and a few others, the bomber was forced to detonate early...before reaching the Pavillion, which saved numerous maybe even hundreds of soldiers' lives Many people do not know the meaning of the American Flag and what it represents. This is a great article on our Flag. Now I know the meaning of the folds for the Flag and what it meant for my brother to receive a folded one after my Nephew died. GOOD JOB!
America has never been a free country. Look back at the lives that the slaves had. Anyone who think that they are free have a strange definition of freedom. Even now people of different races are not treated equally and are not able to do things freely.
I thought there were 13 folds when folding the American flag.
- Author
I'm curious about your flag? Know any facts there?
I hardly knew any of this stuff about the American flag--I had heard the story of Betsy Ross, though. She is famous, even in Canada!
- Author
Thank you for your kind words.
Wonderful hub with important information and the chart is awesome. Way to go!
- Author
Thank you so much all, especially you teaches! I really appreciate your compliments!
Love your chart history on the stars in regards to states added. This is well researched and very entertaining -- not to mention educational. Your description of the flag colors is also a great add to the content.
I probably know a bit less about your flag that your other commentators, so this was really interesting. Great job!
This is a great hub for this time of year! I too did not know about the meanings behind each fold of the flag. How fascinating!
- Author
Thank you both of you. I appreciate your comments.
Interesting and educationional hub. I had no idea the folds in the flag had meanings. I hope no one ever changes them.
Well done hub, Angela...voted up, useful, beautiful, and interesting. I just learned a BUNCH of stuff! Enjoy your day.
22