Maine Flag

The flag of Maine is a distinctive blue field featuring the state's official coat of arms centered in the middle. The central shield depicts a moose lying beneath a tall pine tree, flanked by a farmer and a sailor, all rendered in natural colors. Above the shield, the North Star shines on a stylized representation of the Polaris star and the motto 'DIRIGO' (I Direct), while the state name 'MAINE' appears in bold capital letters on a golden ribbon below.

The flag's design is a classic example of a seal-on-a-bedsheet (SOB) style, a common approach for U.S. state flags. The dark blue background provides a stark contrast to the detailed, multi-colored elements of the coat of arms. This central emblem is the flag's primary and most complex visual feature, making it easily identifiable as Maine's official banner.

The central coat of arms is rich with symbolism representing Maine's natural resources and industries. The pine tree and moose symbolize the state's vast forests and wildlife, while the farmer with a scythe and the sailor with an anchor represent the agricultural and maritime economic pillars. The North Star (Polaris) and the motto 'DIRIGO' reflect Maine's historical role as a guiding principle, as it was the northernmost state at its admission to the Union.

The blue field is a traditional color associated with vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The overall design, centered on the state seal, is intended to convey Maine's identity, history, and values through its official heraldry, making the flag a symbolic summary of the state's character.

The current flag was adopted by the Maine Legislature on February 23, 1909, replacing a simpler military flag that featured a green pine tree and blue star on a buff-colored field. The change was driven by a desire for a distinctive civil flag that incorporated the state's full coat of arms. The design is based directly on the state seal, which was created by Benjamin Vaughan and adopted in 1820.

In 2023, a referendum was passed to revert to Maine's original 1901 flag design, featuring the simple pine tree and star on a buff field, which is scheduled to become the official state flag on May 16, 2025. This will mark a significant historical change, replacing the seal-on-a-bedsheet design that has flown for over a century.