Introduction
The flag of Texas, known as the Lone Star Flag, is a vertical bicolor of blue and white with a prominent single white five-pointed star centered on the blue field. Its simple yet powerful design is instantly recognizable and embodies the state's independent spirit. The flag's layout, with a blue vertical bar at the hoist and a white horizontal bar extending to the fly, creates a distinctive and balanced composition.
Adopted in 1839 during the era of the Republic of Texas, the flag's design elements draw from historical precedents. The single star motif, symbolizing Texas as a unique entity, has been a consistent feature in the state's vexillological history. The flag's proportions and color arrangement are precisely defined by state law, ensuring uniformity in its display.
Today, the Texas flag is one of the most iconic and proudly displayed state flags in the United States. Its design is celebrated for its clarity and symbolic strength, adhering to key principles of good flag design. The flag's bold colors and central star make it highly visible and easy to identify, even at a distance.
Meaning & Symbolism
The colors and symbols of the Texas flag carry deep significance rooted in the state's history and values. The blue vertical stripe represents loyalty, while the white stripe stands for purity. The lone star, from which the flag derives its name, is a symbol of Texas's former status as an independent republic and its unity as one state.
This symbolism is formally codified in the Texas Flag Code. The single star is said to represent all of Texas unified under one government. Together, the red, white, and blue colors mirror those of the United States flag, signifying Texas's loyalty to the Union after its annexation in 1845.
History of the Texas Flag
The current design was officially adopted by the Congress of the Republic of Texas on January 25, 1839. It was signed into law by President Mirabeau B. Lamar, who reportedly favored the design over the previous Burnet Flag. The designer is traditionally credited to be Dr. Charles B. Stewart, although some vexillologists note this is not conclusively proven.
The flag flew over the Republic of Texas until its annexation by the United States in 1845. It was reinstated as the state flag in 1933 by an act of the Texas Legislature, which also established precise specifications for its colors and proportions. The flag's design has remained unchanged since its original adoption.
Curiosities
- Texas law grants the state flag the unique honor of being flown at the same height as the U.S. flag, a right shared by no other state.
- The Texas Flag Code specifies that the red and blue colors should be the same as those on the U.S. flag, with the blue being 'Old Glory Blue' and the red being 'Old Glory Red'.
- The flag's design is so revered that it is the subject of the state's official pledge: 'Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.'
Download Flag
Download the flag of Texas 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 dimensions are in a 2:3 ratio. The blue vertical bar has a width equal to one-third the flag's length. The white star is centrally located on the blue field, sized so that the diameter of a circle passing through its five points is three-fourths the width of the blue stripe. The upper white stripe is above the lower red stripe, with each horizontal stripe being one-half the flag's width.
Flags Similar to Texas Flag
Common Misidentifications
Often confused with the flag of Chile from a distance due to a similar layout of a blue canton with a star beside a white and red field.