You don’t even have to look at it, but you will know that it is comprised of the stripes and stars. Starting from the design to its colors, everything has been chosen with a meaning. So, it is definitely not something random or to make it look appealing.
Every American citizen knows that each aspect of the flag holds significant symbolism. Hence, we thought to let all the other people know about it too.
Symbolism:
Courage and innocence:
The stripes were amazingly symbolic not only in number but also in color. Moreover, the design of the stripes signified sunrays shining down. It represents a strong image when thinking of the dawn of a new nation.
Each of the red stripes signify the courage, toughness and valor of the nation which is why the color red was chosen. The white ones were taken to symbolize simplicity and innocence. Because, that is what you expect when a new country has just been born and starting on its own, it gives a clear picture of purity.
British colonies after independence:
The number of stripes contains a deeper meaning that focuses more on the efforts of the people than the number of societies. There are 13 stripes in the flag of the United States that honor all the 13 original British colonies. It signifies all the people of every gender who worked hard as well as sacrificed just to succeed in being a new world, a world turning into a new country.
Constellation:
The stars in the flag simply represent a constellation that refer to a group of stars establishing a pattern so it can stand forever. It conveys a connotation of a new country being formed by the people through efforts and intellects that did not only evolve but succeeded as well. Not just that, the number of stars on the flag also symbolizes the number of the states owned by the America.
The stars sitting on the blue field also have a symbolism. It signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Pride:
The US flag also is regarded as a pride. Whenever the nation achieves something, it flaunts the flag. For instance, Olympic athletes wrap themselves with the flag after winning gold. During the medal ceremony, they hang their flag up high above the crowd to honor both the country as well as its athletes.
Not only that, but you also know that besides the footsteps, there were other things left on the moon after the visit of the first man. It was the flag of the US. Symbolizing pride in the space program, it told the tale of the country being the first to get to the moon.
When it comes to military funerals, the country’s flag is covered over the coffin. After that, it is folded for 13 times and handed to the family of the casualty. It clearly shows how proud the US is of the people who dedicated their life to the country.
History and Thing to know:
Post the declaration of independence, the navy of the U.S. painted white stripes on the red standards of the British Naval. That’s how the Grand Union Flag was created.
Perhaps, it was done so that they can distinguish their ships from British ones. They regard it as an emblem of the objectives of the United States to be self-governing as well as their devotion to the Crown. After that, it began the foundation of later flags.
When Francis Hopkinson, a former US District Judge was the Navy Board Chairman, he came up with a design quite similar to what you see today. The possible intent was to have it used as a naval ensign.
In 1777, the Congress passed the Flag Resolution law penning that the 13 U.S. flag would be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, and the union would be 13 stars where the white color in a blue field would signify a new constellation.
However, since the law mentioned nothing about the arrangement of the stars as well as the number of points, the new resolution design did not mean anything more than an obscure written statement by the Congress.
Thereafter, it prompted different flagmakers to come with diverse designs and arrangement of the stars.
One of the designs which grabbed popularity was the Betsy Ross flag displaying 13 stars in a circle. It designed by a person of the same name who was also a Philadelphian upholsterer.
Later former president George Washington signed The Flag Act of 1794 into the law on 13 January designing the flag with 15 stripes and 15 stars.
After that, Congress enacted The Flag Act of 1818 on April 4 with the flag having 13 stripes and one star for each of the states. According to the act, the design of the flag would be modified periodically by adding a new star to symbolize the addition of a new state. Every time the design will be modified, a new Flag Act will be passed in Independence Day to make it official.
On 24 July, 1912, President Taft issued Executive Order and established proportions of the flag. The design of the flag involved the stars to be arranged in 6 horizontal rows of eight each while a point of the star would be pointed upward.
President Eisenhower issued Executive Order on August 21, 1959 setting up the design of the 50-star flag.
Wrap up!
Although the design and patterns of the stars have changed over the past 245 years, the symbolism of the flag has remained the same. Considering the citizens and their efforts behind establishing a new nation, the US flag has been designed just for them.