# 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:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/61 "2011-09-22T18:46:35Z")
[Current page of state flags](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_state_flags) for easy reference Weird that [Oregon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Oregon) has two different sides – apparently that’s rare. [Georgia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Georgia_%28U.S._state%29) sure changes its mind a lot. I find the [2001-2003 version](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_State_of_Georgia_%282001-2003%29.svg) especially goofy - -apparently it’s an attempt to have ALL the previous flags flaying at once. Hope the committee got to go home early, at least. Bold and simple is best. Indiana, Alaska, South Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico. Also striking are Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas, although the red/white/blue thing is overdone in the US and possibly difficult to recognize from a distance. Kansas’ little sunflower is pretty unique; too bad it’s spoiled by the word KANSAS at the bottom apparently in all-caps Arial Narrow, of all things). The Arkansas flag is kind of a dramatic departure, but it looks like a feed bag label to me (they might not take that as an insult, though). ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/62 "2011-09-22T19:17:03Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > …She could have _another_ female warrior clinging to her leg, like a Frazetta painting. And more blood washing out the tyrant’s foul footsteps’ pollution. 😃 :: sings :: Fromm the laaahahand of the freeeeeeeeeeee . . . . :: cough :: ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/63 "2011-09-23T00:00:24Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Alaska’s flag, not only for the reasons given, but because it was designed by [Benny Benson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Benson), a 13-year old part Aleut boy. This is taught in Alaska’s elementary schools as part of the state history. I learned that here in California. But that doesn’t make the flag any better than it is. That said, it is one of the good ones. > [@Sailboat](#): > > [Current page of state flags](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_state_flags) for easy reference I think this is the first time I’ve seen them all together. The state-seal-on-blue-background is crazy true. Any flag with a state seal kinda sucks. Add a few letters and numbers and South Dakota has themselves a good license plate. Drop the state name from my state’s flag (California) and it’s not too bad (although the state-seal-on-blue-background by default puts it in the top half or so). Maryland’s would look OK at a jousting tournament. Other than that, the best you can say about it is that it’s not a state seal. Or points for originality (compared to other state flags) I guess. Someone needs to explain Hawaii’s to me. But i have to go with the consensus. New Mexico, Arizona & Alaska are the best. Colorado and Ohio aren’t too far behind (edge to Ohio because the “O” works better as a design element than a “C”). Mississippi’s has to be the worst. Outright racism really is a bad thing in a state flag. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/64 "2011-09-23T00:07:33Z")
> **[Michigan State Flag](https://www.50states.com/flag/miflag.htm)** > > Michigan State Flag large size graphic image and history. Michigan wins. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/65 "2011-09-23T00:21:20Z")
Hard to choose but I’d say Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, and Texas. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/66 "2011-09-23T01:22:06Z")
I’d rank them: 1. South Carolina 2. New Mexico 3. Texas 4. Arizona 5. Maryland 6. Alaska 7. Tennessee 8. Ohio 9. Alabama 10. Colorado 11. California; would jump up 6-7 spots if it dumped the words 12-50 All the rest, they all suck ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/67 "2011-09-23T02:17:13Z")
> [@Green\_Cymbeline](#): > > [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… … parking on even numbered side of street on even numbered days. It is a bit wordy and like most state seal or eagle on a blue field flags it is based on regimental colors from the Civil War or the Philippine Insurrection. Ohio’s pennant is derived from artillery guideon of the same period (or so I was taught as a child in the work up to the sesquicentennial in 1953). ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/68 "2011-09-23T03:29:40Z")
So, I’m the only one here who likes [Wyoming](http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/wyoming-state-flag1.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/69 "2011-09-23T04:46:29Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > So, I’m the only one here who likes [Wyoming](http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/wyoming-state-flag1.jpg)? Yes, I imagine you are the only one that likes it. 😉 It is better than the average state seal on a blue background flag. But it is still obviously from that lousy vexillological family. Cut out the state seal and change the field color from blue to… well virtually anything else, and you could have a winner. As it is it really has little to offer except yet another variant of the generic state flag. A red border and a bison are insufficient to rescue it. I would have to go with New Mexico as the single best US state flag. It is simple, unique, and easily identifiable without being harsh on the eye (as compared to say Maryland). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/70 "2011-09-23T04:49:33Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > So, I’m the only one here who likes [Wyoming](http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/wyoming-state-flag1.jpg)? That does look cool. I always enjoyed seeing the New Mexico and Hawaii state flags fluttering when I lived in Albuquerque and Honolulu. As with all other things Texas, I never cottoned to its flag growing up there and as a young adult. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/71 "2011-09-23T05:36:20Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > You know, I think a flag should be discernable from a long distance away. Even if you’re not at war and need to tell your friends from your enemies, you should be able to see “your” flag from a ways off and be able to, if not feel a little thrill of “that’s mine!” in your heart, at least recognize your home standard. That’s hardly relevant. US States are specifically forbidden to go to war with each other. ---
**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 23, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/72 "2011-09-23T13:35:39Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > That’s hardly relevant. US States are specifically forbidden to go to war with each other. …not a football fan, I take it? ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/73 "2011-09-23T14:03:35Z")
The Texas flag is my favorite, though I admit a bias. New Mexico, Alaska, and South Carolina are all great designs, and while I generally dislike flags with words on them, there’s something cool about the California flag as well. Maryland’s flag actively offends my eyes. It’s like staring at a test pattern. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/74 "2011-09-23T14:37:18Z")
I have to add a vote for New Mexico’s flag. it is nice, simple easy to recognize and easy on the eyes. Someone really needs to explain to Mississippi that the war ended 150 years ago and they lost. Even Georgia finally got that memo. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/75 "2011-09-23T15:02:12Z")
For everyone who likes the California flag, a little inside story that might change the way you think about it: the bear depicted on the flag is _**[Monarch](http://www.monarchbear.org/monarch/index.html)**_, who was captured and put on display as a publicity stunt by William Randolf Hearst. He was kept in a cage for 22 years; his stuffed remains can be seen in the natural history collection at Berkeley. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/76 "2011-09-23T15:43:50Z")
I pretty much hate most of them; the only ones that appeal to me visually are Tennessee and Texas. But go ahead and make fun of **my** [state flag](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Victoria) if you wish, I won’t be offended. Yes, it’s the flag of Australia with a crown added above the southern cross, and the big white star removed. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/77 "2011-09-23T16:03:46Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > South Carolina’s looks like it belongs to a jihad. Can’t you just picture a TSA agent pulling someone out of line somewhere to interrogate him about the jihadist [insignia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_South_Carolina.svg) he has emblazoned on his backpack? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/78 "2011-09-23T16:14:28Z")
Of course like most things on the SDMB, this has been discussed before. A [worthy point](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=1398118#post1398118) from ten years ago: > [@Best and worst state flags in North America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-state-flags-in-north-america/69694/63): > > It’s worth noting that many of the “Seal on a Sheet” State Flags are regimental colors from the Civil War. Typically a regiment would have two flags, a National Colors (the US flag with stars and stripes) and a second flag that was particular to the regiment. In the Regular Army the regimental colors were a sheet colored according to the branch or arm of the service, blue for infantry, yellow for cavalry, red for artillery, and an eagle with the national shield on its chest and a ribbon in its beak. On the ribbon was the regiments name, e.g., “Twelfth Infantry Regiment.” In the State regiments the regimental colors often were a sheet of the branch color with the state seal instead of the eagle that appeared on the regimental colors for the Regular Army units, and a ribbon that listed the regiment’s name, e. g., “Seventy-Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.” > > While the “Seal on a Sheet” State Flags might not have much emotional significance for us, they meant a lot to Northern veterans who were middle aged men at the turn of the last century. These were the flags that they had marched behind and fought under in a war that decided whether the nation would continue to exist. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782/79 "2011-09-23T17:50:16Z")
My top 3 would be: 1. Alaska 2. South Carolina 3. Rhode Island FWIW, South Carolina is the only one of those states that I’ve actually lived in. Every time the wingnuts go crazy about how a crescent moon as part of a logo represents Islam, I think of the SC flag, and grin. Maryland’s flag has gotten a lot of love here, but speaking as one who’s spent 15 years of his life in the state, I’ve always thought the damned thing was a mess, with the black-and-yellow quadrants fighting it out with the red-and-white quadrants in a war where everyone loses. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-u-s-state-flag/321782.md?page=3)