Florida State Flag Facts: Here's All You Need To Know About It!

Out of 72 Canadian provincials, the US state, and the US territorial flags, the flag of Florida is number 34 in design quality by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA).

The Florida flag is a rectangular white flag with a red diagonal cross called the red saltire. The flag also has the Florida state seal superimposed in the center of the cross.

The Florida flag, also known as the state flag of Florida, was officially adopted on May 6, 1868. The flag was later updated and adopted as Florida's civil and official state flag on November 6, 1900. The flag was again modified on May 21, 1985, and sanctioned by the state officials. The 1985 flag is Florida's current flag.

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History Of Florida State Flag

Florida has seen the inflow of many state flags since European travelers first discovered and reached this area in the early 16th century. The most prominent travelers included Spain, France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Confederate States of America.

The Spanish rule in Florida started on April 2, 1513, when Juan Ponce de León took charge of Florida.

The Spanish regime used many standards like the Cross of Burgundy, the 'X-shaped' cross, in St Augustine.  From 1513-1821, the Cross of Burgundy was a symbol that represented Spanish sovereignty.

By the Treaty of Paris of 1763, Spain passed control of Florida to Great Britain. With the white diagonal strips, the original union flag was used during this period by the British. During this period, Florida was divided into East Florida and West Florida, with its capitals in St Augustine and Pensacola, respectively.

The first provisional flag of this state was proposed and designed by its first governor, William D. Moseley. The flag featured five horizontal stripes of blue, gold, red, white, and green. The flag also featured an inscription on a ribbon that said 'Let Us Alone.'

Governor Perry gave the tri-band design of the Confederacy as the provisional flag for Florida provinces. However, the blue background in the flag extended down, while the state seal was centered within the field.

The Confederacy discarded three versions of the Confederacy flag and the Bonnie Blue flag. A white flag with the state was chosen from the Confederate flag.

To prevent it from looking like a truce flag, Florida governor Francis P. Fleming added the red saltire of St Augustine to the official flag of Florida. The addition of the blue Andrew's cross was considered as well.

Symbols On Florida State Flag

The Florida state flag features the state seal of Florida in the center of the red saltire. The saltire was taken from St Augustine and was incorporated in the flag against the white background to prevent the flag from looking like a perpetual truce flag.

The 1865 legislature adopted the state seal, the current flag features. The state seal required that it depict a scene in the center with the sun rays high in the background, a cocoa tree, a steamboat on the water, and Indian female scattering flowers in the foreground.

The current state seal depicts one of the Sabal palmetto palm trees, steamboats on water against the backdrop of a rising sun, and a Native American Seminole woman in the foreground scattering flowers. Along with the scenic beauty, the state seal features an encirclement with the words 'Great Seal of the State of Florida: In God We Trust.'

Motto And Purpose Of Florida State Flag

The state motto acts as a looking glass into the past. With its Native American Seminole woman and palm trees, Florida's flag represents the character and beliefs of the state and, more importantly, the character of the people of the time it was adopted.

The first known motto of the Florida territory was 'Let Us Alone,' which appeared on the first provisional flag proposed for the flag of Florida by William D. Moseley.

Like many other states, Florida did not have an officially assigned state motto for a very long time. After the American Civil War, Florida adopted a new constitution that assigned the state of Florida the motto, 'In God We Trust.'

The official motto of Florida was only recognized after the Civil War. Florida is one of the three states which incorporated the US national motto in its state flag, the other two being Georgia and Mississippi.

What is the flag of Florida called?

The state flag of Florida, which was earlier a short-lived flag of west Florida, is also called the Florida flag or the Florida state flag.

The flag of the centralized nation-state of Florida represents the character of the state. The saltire of St Augustine represents the crucifixion of St Andrew. It is also believed to remark and commemorate the state's contributions to the Confederacy.

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