# Coolest U.S. state flag **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782 "2005-09-15T14:25:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/21 "2005-09-15T17:04:34Z")
I like [Alaska](http://www.50states.com/flag/akflag.htm) as well. The SC one looks nice if I was some sort of America hating Muslim. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![qubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f07891/32.png) [@qubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qubed)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/22 "2005-09-15T17:19:25Z")
I’m impressed that **New Mexico** is getting so many nods. I have a bit a bias for it since I grew up there, but i’ll place it as my favorite, mainly because of it’s simplicity and great color scheme. **Texas** gets a second nod, and **Maryland** a third. I absolutely hate flags that have words on them, especially the name of the state/country. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/23 "2005-09-15T17:52:15Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Tennessee and New Mexico are the only two states with cool flags. All the rest are either too plain (I hate the state seal on blue cloth design aesthetic) or just outright suck although Texas’ isn’t \*too \* bad. Yay for you. I vote for Tennessee (I’m biased), South Carolina and Arizona. ---
**Author:** ![eponymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e0b2c6/32.png) [@eponymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eponymous)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/24 "2005-09-15T17:56:33Z")
Favorites: New Mexico and Alaska - simple and effective. Both evoke an aesthetic and/or emotional sensibility that other state flags lack (particularly with respect to the natural beauty found within each state). Maryland - contrasting pattern that also works on an aesthetic/emotional level, although for different reasons than New Mexico and Alaska (rooted more in a cultural/historical context). I’m from Ohio and I’ve never thought the flag particularly interesting save for the shape. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/25 "2005-09-15T17:57:40Z")
Conch Republic: [http://stores.floridakeys.com/conchtraders/detail.aspx?ID=198](http://stores.floridakeys.com/conchtraders/detail.aspx?ID=198) ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/26 "2005-09-15T18:13:16Z")
[Link to pictures of all the state flags.](http://www.netstate.com/state_flags.htm) My favorite is the Alaska flag. Although I live in Mississippi, I find the flag to be offensive. Of course, I’m not _from_ here. I was glad to see that the state flag of Michigan includes its state motto (my favorite state motto): “Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice” (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you). ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/27 "2005-09-15T18:25:16Z")
I vote for [South Carolina](http://flagspot.net/flags/us-sc.html); I also like [Alaska](http://flagspot.net/flags/us-ak.html), [Arizona](http://flagspot.net/flags/us-az.html), and [New Mexico](http://flagspot.net/flags/us-nm.html). [Phoenix](http://flagspot.net/flags/us-az-px.html), Arizona has a really cool municipal flag. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/28 "2005-09-15T19:09:11Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > [Phoenix](http://flagspot.net/flags/us-az-px.html), Arizona has a really cool municipal flag. Wow! That _is_ cool. 🙂 [sub]How ironic.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![6\_6\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e0b2c6/32.png) [@6\_6\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6_6_6)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/29 "2005-09-15T19:24:32Z")
[Hawaii](http://www.50states.com/flag/hiflag.htm) of course! But why do they clutter it up with all those horizontal stripes? ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/30 "2005-09-15T19:32:42Z")
> [@plnnr](#): > > …I meant to write **boob** instead. New slogan: Virginia Is For Boobs. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/31 "2005-09-15T19:43:26Z")
Even the best of the US state flags, like California and New Mexico, are wantig in comparison with the [flags of the 47 prefectures of Japan.](http://www.cafepress.com/hantranslation/706143) However, the flag of Phoenix does meet up to that standard. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/32 "2005-09-15T19:57:51Z")
My favorite is Virginia (my home state) because of the symbolism and use of greek mythology. And because it features a strong woman who kicked Tyranny’s ass! 😉 … [Virginia](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/images/va_fil.gif) - Features the state seal in which Roman goddess Virtus is dressed as an Amazon, holding a spear and a sheathed sword (and bare breasted); her left foot is on defeated opponent Tyranny lying on the ground, his fallen crown nearby, a broken chain in his left hand, and a scourge in his right. Below is the state motto, “Sic Semper Tyrannis:” “Thus always to tyrants.” I also love Louisiana because it has pelicans and I love the symbolism: [Louisiana](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/images/la_fil.gif) - the state bird, the eastern brown pelican, feeding three baby pelicans in a nest with the state motto,“Union, Justice, and Confidence.” The mother pelican is tearing flesh from her own breast to feed her three young. The pelican has been a symbol of Louisiana since the 1800’s - early settlers in the area found pelicans to be generous and nurturing birds and it was believed that, when food was scarce, pelicans would tear at their breast with their beaks to feed some of their blood to their young. My other favorites feature one of my favorite birds - the bald eagle - and have great symbolism… [North Dakota](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/images/nd_fil.gif) - a bald eagle holding an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its claws. In its beak, the eagle carries a ribbon with the words “e pluribus unum” (One nation made up of many states). The shield on its breast has 13 stars, representing the original 13 states. The fan shaped design above the eagle represents the birth of a new nation [Illinois](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/images/il_fil.gif) - Features a bald eagle, representing the United States, holding a red streamer in its beak with the state motto, “State sovereignty, national union.” In the eagle’s talons is a shield with 13 bars and 13 stars representing the original colonies. The date Illinois was admitted to the Union and the date of the State Seal are printed on the boulder. The ground around the boulder symbolizes the rich soil of this prairie state. [Utah](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/images/ut_fil.gif) - Features the state seal, which in the center has a shield with a beehive (the state symbol), the word “Industry”, and the date 1847. Above it flies a bald eagle with arrows in its claws and two US flags. [Iowa](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/images/ia_fil.gif) - An bald eagle carries in its beak blue streamers with the state motto, “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” I also really like California’s bear, Wyoming’s buffalo, and Michigan’s elk, moose and bald eagle. I like the ones with animals! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/33 "2005-09-15T21:08:07Z")
Why does North Dakota have a flag all about the 13 colonies when it’s not one? Wow, those prefectural flags are _awesome_. They’d all make cool tattoos. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/34 "2005-09-15T21:11:40Z")
Well, the worst is certainly mine-Colorado. Looks like something the ‘special class’ put together out of construction paper :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/35 "2005-09-15T23:31:49Z")
As a Californian, I’ll always have a fondness for the Bear Flag—though it does figure that California would be the state to have a bear and a red star on it’s flag—with Arizona a close second. And [Chicago](http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/chiflag.html) has a cool municipal flag. ---
**Author:** ![BoringDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@BoringDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoringDad)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/36 "2005-09-15T23:39:13Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > My favorite is Virginia (my home state) because of the symbolism and use of greek mythology. Just goes to prove the old “different strokes for different folks” thing. Your favorites are the ones I can’t stand, and the reasons that you like them are the reasons I dislike them. Flags should be bold, simple, and easy to discern. You can’t read the words on a flag when it is flying on a pole. You can’t make out the seals or those tiny pictures. It’s all just pointless clutter. New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Tennesee, and Ohio all do pretty good. That Phoenix flag does indeed rock. Texas and Colorado meet the simple criteria, but are really just not very imaginative. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/37 "2005-09-16T00:10:18Z")
I kinda dig the [Rhode Island](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/ri_flag.htm) flag. It’s simple and discernable, and diverges from stereotypical formats. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/38 "2005-09-16T01:43:28Z")
Good thread! [I started a thread for city flags.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=335241) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/39 "2005-09-19T18:20:24Z")
Those Japanese prefectural flags certainly are… um, stylistically consistent. I doubt any of them have any particular hold on the imaginations or loyalties of those over whom they fly, though. I’m guessing the national government in Tokyo developed and assigned them, more or less at the same time. American state flags have been created and adopted over the span of centuries, by each locality, so some suck and some are great, but I like the much greater range of styles and designs they display. Just my two cents’ worth. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/40 "2005-09-19T18:25:08Z")
I’m rather fond of the [Kansas state flag](http://www.kshs.org/research/topics/politics/flag.htm), because of it’s detail and motto. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782.md?page=3)