Missouri Flag

The flag of Missouri is a tricolor design featuring three horizontal stripes of red, white, and blue. On the left side, a wide vertical band of red, white, and blue stripes runs the full length of the flag, containing the state's coat of arms encircled by a blue band with 24 white stars. This distinctive canton design combines elements of the national flag with unique state symbolism.

The flag's layout is complex, integrating both heraldic and striped elements in a single field. The central coat of arms is detailed, depicting two grizzly bears, a crescent moon, and a helmet, all representing the state's sovereignty and resources. The 24 stars on the blue band signify Missouri's admission as the 24th state of the Union.

Adopted in 1913, the flag was designed to be distinctive and meaningful, avoiding simple seals on a bedsheet. Its tricolor stripes echo the French heritage of the region, while the canton with the state seal ties it directly to Missouri's identity and history.

The three horizontal stripes carry specific meanings: red symbolizes valor, white represents purity, and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice. These colors also reflect Missouri's historical connections to both France (from which it was originally purchased) and the United States. The vertical stripes on the hoist side reinforce this color symbolism and create a unique visual anchor.

The central state seal is rich with symbolism. The two grizzly bears standing on a scroll represent the state's strength and its citizens' ability to govern themselves. The crescent moon signifies the potential for growth and the state of Missouri at the time of its admission. The helmet above the shield denotes state sovereignty, while the surrounding 24 stars confirm its place as the 24th state.

The flag was designed by Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver, known as Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Oliver, who was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Her design was created in response to a call for a distinctive state flag and was officially adopted by the Missouri General Assembly on March 22, 1913. The original flag sewn by Oliver's friend, Mrs. S. D. MacFarland, was used for nearly a century.

In 2008, a state senator discovered the original 1913 flag was deteriorating. A conservation project was undertaken, and a replica was created to be flown on special occasions. The flag's design has remained unchanged since its adoption, a testament to its enduring and accepted symbolism.