The American flag contains 50 white stars on an indigo field, representing the 50 states, and 13 horizontal stripes—seven red and six white—representing the original 13 colonies. There have been 27 official variations of the American flag between 1777 and 1960, but the colors have remained constant. The vivid red, white, and blue of the flag are as meaningful as they are beautiful. So, what do the colors mean on the American flag?
The Meaning of the Color Red in the American Flag
When the flag was adopted in 1777, there was no official meaning assigned to its colors. It wasn’t until 1782, when the Continental Congress approved The Great Seal of the United States, that Secretary Charles Thomson gave them symbolic meaning. The red in the American flag represents valor and bravery. It was also the dominant color of America’s first unofficial flag, the Grand Union.
Many interpret the red to represent the blood shed by those who fought for our nation’s independence and for freedom throughout history. A large U.S. flag is often flown outside military facilities and ceremonially presented to the families of fallen soldiers. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan declared it “The Year of the Flag,” saying: “The colors of our flag signify the qualities of the human spirit we Americans cherish. Red for courage and readiness to sacrifice; white for pure intentions and high ideals; and blue for vigilance and justice.”
The Meaning of the Color White in the American Flag
White represents purity and innocence. In 1977, the U.S. House of Representatives published a book on the meaning of the flag, describing the white stars this way: “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 Meaning of the Color Blue in the American Flag
Blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The official shade, known as “Old Glory Blue,” was originally derived from the indigo plant. The flag’s colors hold multiple meanings, reflecting a nation made up of many people, cultures, and perspectives.
According to flag expert Mike Buss of the American Legion: “For us veterans, the flag represents why we served. We were there because the flag represented our freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion.”
At Flags USA, we believe part of the beauty of the American flag lies in its consistency. Even as our nation grows and changes, the red, white, and blue remain constant. The flag reminds us of our shared ideals and calls on us to continue striving together toward life, liberty, and equal opportunity for all.
Quotes About the American Flag
- “The flag of the United States has not been created by rhetorical sentences in declarations of independence and in bills of rights. It has been created by the experience of a great people, and nothing is written upon it that has not been written by their life. It is the embodiment, not of a sentiment, but of a history.” – Woodrow Wilson
- “We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth—peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home… but when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights, we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done.” – Calvin Coolidge
- “I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it's marked by the blood of those who died defending it.” – John Thune
- “I stand for peace, honor, truth, and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer.” – Howard Schnaubner
- “A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation’s flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols or insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth.” – Henry Ward Beecher
- “Our flag is red, white, and blue, but our nation is a rainbow—red, yellow, brown, black, and white—and we're all precious in God's sight.” – Jesse Jackson
- “Our hearts aching, our prayers praying, our flags waving—never forget.” – Betsy Ross