Test Yourself: How Many US State Flags Can You Name?

How well do you know your flags?

While the US flag is ubiquitous worldwide, far fewer people know every state’s individual flag. Many of these include references to geographical features, indigenous culture, historic events or important industries within the state. With a few clues along the way, how many of these state flags can you guess correctly?

This flag belongs to…

The helmet and horse’s head on this flag symbolize the fact this was one of the earliest states to sign the US Constitution. Meanwhile, the colors were allegedly chosen by George Washington himself.

New Jersey

Belonging to New Jersey, the flag was adopted in 1896 – the year in which it became a state. The two women pictured are Liberty (left), who holds a liberty cap, and Roman goddess Ceres, who holds a cornucopia filled with fruits and vegetables grown in the Garden State. Meanwhile, the three plows on the central shield evoke New Jersey’s farming history.

 

This flag belongs to…

The red and yellow rays on this flag are meant to resemble the setting sun, hinting at the fact it represents a Western state famous for its deserts and the saguaro cactus.

Arizona

That state is Arizona, best known for natural wonders including the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon (pictured). As well as the symbolism of the setting sun, there are 13 rays on the top half of the flag, which depict America’s original colonies. The star in the middle is supposed to represent Arizona’s status as the country’s largest producer of copper.

This flag belongs to…

With its four bright colors and contrasting patterns, this flag, belonging to a northeastern state, is pretty unique. In fact, this state’s flag is the only one in the US that's based on English heraldry.

Maryland

Its design pays homage to the coat of arms of the Calvert and Crossland families, Maryland’s former colonial proprietors. The flag was first flown in 1880, to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Baltimore, although it wasn’t until 1904 that it was adopted as the state’s official flag. 

This flag belongs to...

There’s a big clue in the middle of this flag, hinting at the state's name, but can you guess which one it represents?

Colorado

Belonging to Colorado, this flag is all about celebrating nature. Its blue stripes are meant to evoke the state’s blue skies, while the central white strip depicts the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Meanwhile, the yellow circle signifies the sun and the red 'C' stands for Colorado, which translates to colored red in Spanish.

This flag belongs to…

This banner, belonging to a southern state famous for a juicy stone fruit, is more controversial than most: it’s been changed twice since 2001 and still remains divisive.

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Georgia

In 1956, the Peach State adopted a design with the Confederate battle emblem, which was criticized for its links to historic slavery and racism. In 2001 it was replaced with a new flag, which featured smaller Confederacy symbols, then in 2003 it was changed again to the present design, which still includes the recognizable Stars and Bars. Despite ongoing criticism, it was endorsed by Georgia voters in 2004, by a margin of three to one. 

This flag belongs to…

There are three Latin phrases on this flag, so if you’re familiar with the language you might be able to glean some clues. If you’re not, we’ll give you another: this state is known for an abundance of lakes.

Michigan

The inscription at the bottom translates as 'If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you' and is a nod to the state’s location on a peninsula. The shield, held between an elk and a moose, is emblazoned with the word 'Tuebor' meaning 'I will defend' – a reference to Michigan’s position as a Frontier state. 

This flag belongs to…

Belonging to a northern state, this flag’s origin was a little different to most: it was designed by a teenager who took inspiration from the night sky as seen from this state.

Alaska

In 1926, when Alaska was still a territory and not a state, the region held a competition to design its flag. The winner was 13-year-old Benny Benson, who recreated familiar stars (the Big Dipper constellation, plus the North Star) visible in the Alaskan sky. The background is a forget-me-not blue, representing the flowers that are ubiquitous in Alaska come spring. The design remained the same when it became a state in 1959.

This flag belongs to…

A simplified version of this anchor design, which nods to a significant military port in the country's smallest state, was used during the American Revolutionary War.

Rhode Island

Officially adopted in 1897, the 13 stars represent the original 13 members of the US Constitution, while the word 'Hope', emblazoned across a blue ribbon, is the state’s motto.

This flag belongs to…

A smaller version of the Union Jack sits in the top-left corner of this flag, which might give you a clue as to which state it represents. It was also a kingdom before it became a state.

Hawaii

When visiting in 1793, British navigator Captain George Vancouver presented a Union Jack flag to Hawaiian king Kamehameha I and it flew as Hawaii’s unofficial flag until 1816. Then eight red, white and blue stripes were added in 1843, corresponding to the number of islands. 

 

This flag belongs to…

With its simplistic red cross on a white background, this design was chosen in 1895. However, the southern state’s flag has been seen as somewhat controversial in recent years.

Alabama

It symbolizes the Cotton State and the distinctive St Andrew’s Cross in the center is considered a reference to the Confederate battle flag. In fact, this divisive imagery has even caused Alabama’s flag – along with those of Florida, Georgia, Arkansas and Mississippi – to be removed from the US Capitol because of its negative connotations. 

This flag belongs to…

The pelican in the center of this flag has been a symbol of the state since colonial times, when it was introduced by French settlers. The bird is also the name of the NBA team from the state's largest city.

Louisiana

The image, in which a pelican tears at its flesh to feed its young, is supposed to symbolize the state’s willingness to sacrifice itself for its people and belongs to none other than the Pelican State. Although the design has been used unofficially since 1812, it was replaced by a Stars-and-Stripes-inspired flag during the Civil War and it wasn't until 1912 that it became Louisiana’s official flag. Meanwhile, the state’s motto, 'Union Justice and Confidence' is displayed in a banner below. 

This flag belongs to…

Officially adopted in 1895, a version of this northeastern state’s flag has been flown since the time of the American Revolution, although it previously had a red background.

Connecticut

Representing the Nutmeg State, the flag contains three grapevines which are thought to stand for either the three original colonies (New Haven, Saybrook and Connecticut) or the first three towns created by European settlers (Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor). 

This flag belongs to…

There are 24 stars in a ring on this flag, symbolizing the fact this Midwestern state was the 24th to join the Union. It's also home to a famous structure often referred to as The Gateway to the West.

Missouri

It wasn’t until 1913 that Missouri gained its official flag, with a design courtesy of the then senator’s wife Marie Elizabeth Oliver. Each of its three stripes has a different meaning – blue for vigilance, permanence and justice, red for valor and white for purity – while the grizzly bears on the state’s seal show courage. 

This flag belongs to…

Take a close look at the figures on this flag – you might be able to deduce which state it belongs to as they look somewhat familiar to a famous state landmark.

New York

Depicting Liberty (left) holding a staff and wearing a liberty cap, along with Justice (right) who is blindfolded and holding scales, the state seal which appears on New York’s flag was adopted in 1778. The shield in the middle shows two boats on a river, presumably the Hudson, while the state’s motto 'Excelsior', meaning ever upward, appears on a banner below.

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There are plenty of references to farming in this state’s flag: three golden sheaves of wheat, a plow and two horses in harnesses. 

Pennsylvania

Representing the Keystone State, the flag was first used for state military in 1799, but it wasn’t until 1907 that the design was authorized for non-military purposes. Along with nods to agriculture, the ship is supposed to represent commerce, while Pennsylvania’s motto 'Virtue, liberty and independence' is seen on a ribbon.

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The newest flag in our round-up, this southern state’s banner was officially changed in January 2021, but activists had been fighting to replace it for decades.

Mississippi

The former design, which featured the Confederate battle flag, was adopted in 1894 but since the 1970s and 1980s it had become increasingly divisive, with many considering it a racist symbol. In June 2020, lawmakers voted to change it and this was the winning design. Created by graphic artist Rocky Vaughn, it features a magnolia blossom to represent hospitality, encircled by 20 stars to show that Mississippi was the 20th state to join the Union. The new banner was approved by 68% of the voters in a statewide referendum.

This flag belongs to…

There’s a distinctive palmetto tree in the center of this flag, which only grows on the lower east coast of America.

South Carolina

Standing for South Carolina, the blue-and-white flag was officially adopted in 1861, although different versions of it had flown since the American Revolutionary War, when it was used as a symbol of resistance against the British. The palmetto is especially significant: logs from this tree were used to create fortifications in Charleston Harbor during the war, which defended against British cannonballs. 

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Recognizable for its simple design and bright colors, this southwestern state’s flag was adopted in 1925. But the central image it depicts is a centuries-old indigenous symbol.

New Mexico

Dating back to ancient times, the Zia sun sign in the center originates from the Zia Pueblo people. According to the Governor of the Pueblo of Zia Anthony Delgarito, it’s supposed to represent the four seasons of the year, the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age and old age) and the four periods of the day (morning, noon, evening and night). Today, Zia people argue that the sign was stolen from them to be used on the flag and are calling for greater awareness about its origins. 

This flag belongs to…

First officially flown in 1905, this flag incorporates the same colors as the US flag. It belongs to a landlocked state with plenty of gorgeous rolling hills.

Tennessee

Representing the Volunteer State, the design was created by Captain LeRoy Reeves of the Tennessee Infantry and approved in 1905. The three stars refer to the division of the state into middle, east and west and according to Reeves “they are bound together by the endless circle of the blue field, the symbol being three bound together in one – an indissoluble trinity”.

This flag belongs to…

Borrowing its recognizable symbolism from the original Stars and Stripes, this flag belongs to one of the biggest corn-producing states in the US. It’s also the only flag that isn’t rectangular in shape. 

Ohio

The man who designed it, John Eisenmann, is thought to have taken inspiration from the shape of a guidon (small flag) used by US troops. On the left side, a red-and-white circle denotes the letter ‘O’ for Ohio, as well as representing a seed from a buckeye, the state’s official tree.

This flag belongs to…

Far simpler in design than most, this is one of the most recognizable state flags in the US. The official state nickname also takes inspiration from the flag.

Texas

The Lone Star Flag, as it’s called, belongs to none other than the Lone Star State. Adopted in 1839, the flag is supposed to represent Texas’ independence from Mexico. The colors – blue, white and red – stand for loyalty, purity and bravery respectively.

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