What do the 50 state flags of the US represent?

[jw5]

Maryland​

Maryland's state flag is an exercise in colorful heraldry. It bears the coat of arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, founded Maryland and is represented by black and gold. The red and white colors and symbolic cross identify the Crosslands, Calvert's maternal family.​

 

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Massachusetts​

The state's coat of arms defines the Massachusetts state flag. It bears the image of a Native American clutching a bow and arrow. The white star within the shield represents the state as one of the original colonies. The ribbon below is inscribed with the state motto in Latin, which means "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty."​

 

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Michigan​

Michigan's state flag contains the state coat of arms on a blue field. The bald eagle holding an olive branch and arrows represents the United States. A moose and elk, both common to Michigan, support a shield showing a man standing next to a river. Three mottos in Latin grace the flag: E Pluribus Unum ("From many, one"), Tuebor ("I will defend"), and Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice ("If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you").​

 

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Minnesota​

Three dates are woven into the wreath surrounding the state seal set in the center of the Minnesota state flag: 1885 (the year of statehood); 1819 (the year Fort Snelling was established); and 1893 (the year the original flag was adopted). The 19 stars denote Minnesota's status as the 19th state to enter the Union. The state motto is written in French: L’étoile du Nord, meaning "the star of the north." Within the seal and representative of Minnesota's indigenous heritage is a Native American on horseback.​

 

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Mississippi​

Redesigned in 2020 to replace the original 126-year-old Confederate-themed state flag, the new Mississippi state flag features a magnolia flower with the words "In God We Trust," circled by 20 white stars, representing Mississippi as the 20th state to join the Union. The large gold star represents the state's indigenous population.​

 

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Missouri​

The red stripe of Missouri's state flag represents bravery, the white stripe a symbol of purity. The blue stripe denotes justice. The seal features grizzly bears, signifying the strength of the state and the courage of its people. The state motto reads in Latin: Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto, which means, "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law."​

 

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Montana​

Montana's state flag reflects its reputation as an outdoor destination. A sunrise peeps over mountains and a river, shining on tools that symbolize the state's mining and farming heritage. The state motto in Spanish—Oro y Plata—is on the bottom of the seal and means "gold and silver."​

 

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Nebraska​

Nebraska's state flag depicts an intricately designed state seal on a blue field. A steamboat plying the Missouri River can be seen, as well as a train heading for the Rocky Mountains. A settler forging iron outside his cabin is also present. The state motto reads: "Equity Before the Law."​

 

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Nevada​

The less fussy Nevada state flag features a five-pointed silver star symbolizing the state metal—silver— enclosed by two sprays of sagebrush (the state flower of Nevada) crossed to form a wreath. The war cry "Battle Born" refers to Nevada joining the Union during the Civil War.​

 

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New Hampshire​

The state seal enclosing the 18th-century frigate Raleigh surrounded by laurel leaves and nine stars, signifying New Hampshire's status as the ninth state to ratify the US Constitution and officially become a state, serves as the central design of the New Hampshire state flag.​