What the U.S. Flag Stands For: Stars, Stripes, and Symbolism

The Flag of the United States (Old Glory, Stars and Stripes) encodes the nation's history and ideals in a precise visual grammar.

Anatomy

• 13 Stripes: 7 red, 6 white, alternating. = 13 original colonies (NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA).
• 50 Stars: White on blue canton (union). = 50 states. Arranged 9 rows alternating 6/5 since 1960 (Hawaii).
• Proportions: 10:19 (hoist:fly). Canton = 7 stripes tall, 2/5 fly wide.
• Colors (official): Old Glory Red (#B22234), White (#FFFFFF), Old Glory Blue (#3C3B6E).

Symbolic Meanings (Traditional / Charles Thomson 1782)

• Red: Hardiness & valor (blood shed).
• White: Purity & innocence.
• Blue: Vigilance, perseverance & justice.
• Stars: "A new constellation" — sovereign states united.
• Stripes: "Rays of light" from the union — original union.

Evolution

• 1777: 13 stars/13 stripes (Flag Act).
• 1795: 15 stars/15 stripes (VT, KY).
• 1818: Fixed 13 stripes; add star July 4 after each state admission.
• 1912: 48-star fixed pattern (Taft EO).
• 1959/1960: 49/50 stars (Eisenhower EOs).

Protocol Highlights

• Never dip to any person/thing.
• Illuminated if flown 24/7.
• Retired by burning (ceremonial) when tattered.
• Upside down = dire distress signal only.

The flag is a living document — each star added by law, each stripe a founding covenant.