Flag of Maine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The flag of Maine features the state coat of arms on a blue field. In the center of the shield a moose rests under a tall pine tree. A farmer and seaman represent the traditional reliance on agriculture and the sea by the state. The North Star represents the state motto: Dirigo ("I Lead").
There are no official colors for the coat of arms, so variations in coloration can be seen in flags from different manufacturers. The blue field, however, is specified to be the same blue as in the flag of the United States. According to the official description, the flag should have a fringe of yellow silk and should have a blue and white silk cord attached at the spearhead. These embellishments are very rarely observed.
The North American Vexillological Association conducted a survey in 2001 that ranked Maine's current flag as one of the worst in design. Amongst the 72 state and Canadian province flags, Maine ranked 60th (13th worst).[1]
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[edit] Original Flag
Originally, the state flag consisted of a green pine tree, symbol of New England in the center, with a blue "North Star", all on a buff-colored background[2].
| “ | The State Flag is hereby declared to be buff charged with the emblem of the State, a pine tree proper in the center and the polar star (a mullet of five points), in blue in the upper corner. The star to be equidistant from the hoist and upper border of the flag, the distance from the two borders to the center of the star equal to about one quarter the hoist. This distance and the size of the star being proportionate to the size of the flag. | ” |
The Maine legislature approved the current flag on February 23, 1909.
[edit] Ensign
Maine is also one of only two states with a separate ensign, which is rarely seen (the other is Massachusetts). It features symbols from the current flag and the older one, with a white field and green pine tree. The green pine tree has the seaman's anchor, and the words "MAINE" and "DIRIGO" around it.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Kaye, Ted (June 10, 2001). New Mexico Tops State/Provincial Flags Survey, Georgia Loses By Wide Margin. North American Vexillological Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
- ^ Maine Flags Prior To 1909 (U.S.). Flags of the World. Retrieved on Feb 10, 2008.
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