Illinois flag Colors Code hex, png svg

History of the Illinois State Flag

The state flag of Illinois has a rich history that reflects the state’s heritage and identity.

1. First Flag (1915):

• The first official flag was adopted on July 6, 1915. It was designed by Lucy Derwent, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
• The flag featured the Great Seal of Illinois, which was redesigned in 1868 by Sharon Tyndale, on a white field.

1. Flag Redesign (1969):

• In 1969, the flag was redesigned to add the word “Illinois” beneath the seal to ensure it was easily distinguishable from other state flags.
• The redesign was influenced by a campaign led by the Illinois DAR.

1. Current Flag (1970):

• The new design was adopted on July 1, 1970.
• The flag continues to feature the Great Seal of Illinois on a white background with the addition of the state’s name below the seal.

Design and Symbolism

The current Illinois state flag features several key elements with specific meanings:

1. White Field:

• The white background symbolizes purity and peace.

1. Great Seal of Illinois:

• The seal includes a bald eagle, representing the United States.
• The eagle is holding a shield in its talons, which is adorned with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes, representing the original thirteen colonies.
• The eagle also holds a banner in its beak with the state motto, “State Sovereignty, National Union,” symbolizing the balance between state and federal powers.
• The rock beneath the eagle features the dates 1818 and 1868, marking the year Illinois was admitted to the Union and the year the seal was redesigned, respectively.
• A sun rising over a plain in the background symbolizes the hope and future of the state.

Colors and Their Meanings

1. White:

• As the background color, white represents purity and peace.

1. Red, White, and Blue:

• These colors on the shield and in the stripes of the banner symbolize the United States and the nation’s flag.
• Red represents valor and bravery.
• White represents purity and innocence.
• Blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

1. Gold:

• Gold is used for the banner and the sun, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and the state’s bright future.

1. Green:

• Green in the seal represents the land and agriculture, highlighting Illinois’s rich agricultural history.

The Illinois state flag, with its meaningful design and colors, embodies the state’s values, history, and commitment to the Union.

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