Introduction
The flag of North Carolina is a distinctive tricolor banner featuring a blue vertical band at the hoist and two horizontal bands of red over white on the fly. The design is centered around a white star and the initials "N" and "C" set within the blue canton, flanked by two golden scrolls bearing important dates. This layout creates a balanced yet bold visual statement that is easily recognizable from a distance.
Adopted in 1885, the flag's design was directly inspired by the Confederate First National Flag, often called the "Stars and Bars," but with unique state-specific modifications. The prominent use of red, white, and blue aligns it with the color palette of the United States flag, while its specific arrangement and symbolism are unique to the state's history and identity.
The flag's proportions and the specific placement of its elements are defined by state statute, ensuring consistency in its display. Its simple geometric shapes and high-contrast colors make it a functional and effective design according to vexillological principles, despite its historical references.
Meaning & Symbolism
The colors and symbols on the North Carolina flag carry specific historical significance. The blue canton represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice, while the red top bar symbolizes courage and the white bottom bar represents purity. These colors echo the national flag but are arranged in a pattern unique to the state.
The central white five-pointed star signifies North Carolina as one of the original states of the Union. The scroll above the star displays the date May 20, 1775, commemorating the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, a purported early declaration of independence from Great Britain. The scroll below bears the date April 12, 1776, marking the Halifax Resolves, the first official action by a colony calling for independence from British rule.
History of the North Carolina Flag
The current flag was adopted by the state legislature on March 9, 1885, introduced by General Johnstone Jones. It replaced an earlier, less distinctive state banner that was essentially a blue field with the state seal. The 1885 design was a deliberate move to create a more recognizable and symbolic flag for the state.
The design was modeled after the First National Flag of the Confederacy, reflecting the post-Civil War era in which it was created. The specific dates and the "N C" initials were added to differentiate it and root its symbolism firmly in North Carolina's revolutionary history rather than its Confederate past.
Curiosities
- The flag is one of only a few U.S. state flags to bear two different dates.
- The red and white horizontal bars are a reverse of the colors on the Confederate "Stars and Bars" flag, which had a red bar on top of a white one.
- A 1991 amendment to the statute clarified that the fly (the horizontal stripes) should be one-third longer than the hoist (the blue vertical bar), solidifying the official proportions.
Download Flag
Download the flag of North Carolina 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's design is legally defined by the North Carolina General Statutes. The total flag follows a 2:3 proportion. The blue vertical bar at the hoist is exactly one-third the total length of the flag. The two horizontal bars on the fly are equal in width. The white star is placed in the center of the blue union, with the letters "N" and "C" placed on either side. The gold scrolls with the dates are placed above and below the star and letters.
Flags Similar to North Carolina Flag
Common Misidentifications
Sometimes confused at a distance with the First National Flag of the Confederacy (Stars and Bars) due to the similar canton and bar layout, though the color order of the bars is reversed.