Introduction
The flag of New Hampshire is a distinctive blue field featuring the state's seal centered and surrounded by a ring of nine yellow stars and a wreath of laurel leaves. The design is notable for its detailed central emblem set against a simple, solid-colored background. The flag's primary colors are blue and gold, with additional colors present in the intricate seal.
Adopted in 1909, the flag belongs to a common category of U.S. state flags that place their official state seal on a monochromatic field. The nine stars specifically represent New Hampshire's status as the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The overall layout is formal and heraldic, prioritizing symbolic representation over graphic simplicity.
Meaning & Symbolism
The central state seal contains multiple symbolic elements. The frigate USS Raleigh represents the state's shipbuilding heritage and maritime tradition. In the foreground, a granite boulder symbolizes New Hampshire's nickname, "The Granite State," denoting strength and endurance. The rising sun signifies promise and prosperity.
The ring of nine gold stars encircling the seal directly references New Hampshire being the ninth state to join the Union. The surrounding laurel wreath, a classical symbol of honor and victory, frames the entire composition. The blue field is consistent with the color used in many U.S. state flags, often representing vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
History of the New Hampshire Flag
The current flag design was adopted by the New Hampshire State Legislature on January 1, 1932, but it was based on a precedent set in 1909. The 1909 flag law first prescribed the basic design of the state seal on a blue field. The 1932 legislation refined the design, officially adding the ring of nine stars and the laurel wreath to the specification.
Prior to 1909, New Hampshire did not have an official state flag, though military regiments carried banners with various symbols. The seal depicted on the flag was originally designed in 1776 and has undergone minor modifications over the centuries, but its core elements—the ship, boulder, and sun—have remained constant.
Curiosities
- The USS Raleigh, depicted on the seal, was one of the first thirteen warships authorized by the Continental Congress in 1775, linking the flag directly to the founding of the U.S. Navy.
- A 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association ranked the New Hampshire flag 63rd out of 72 U.S. and Canadian state, provincial, and territorial flags, citing its complex seal-on-a-bedsheet design.
- The flag's official statute specifies the wreath must be of 'laurel leaves,' but artistic interpretations sometimes vary, with some renderings using a more generic green wreath.
Download Flag
Download the flag of New Hampshire in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag has a 2:3 proportion, meaning its width is 1.5 times its height. The state seal is centered on the blue field. The seal's diameter is officially specified to be two-thirds the hoist (height) of the flag. It is surrounded by a ring of nine five-pointed stars and an outer laurel wreath, with the entire emblem complex centered on the field.
Flags Similar to New Hampshire Flag
Common Misidentifications
Often confused from a distance with other U.S. state flags that feature a detailed state seal on a solid blue field, such as Michigan or Connecticut.