Flag of Arkansas (US state)

The flag of the state of Arkansas is a deeply symbolic and historical banner, telling the story of the state’s unique past through its distinctive design. Officially adopted on February 26, 1913, the flag has undergone several modifications, each adding a layer of meaning to its intricate symbolism. At its core, the flag is a tribute to Arkansas’s place as a diamond-producing state and its complex history with the United States and other nations.

Flag Design, Symbolism, and Colors

The Arkansas flag’s design is a striking and carefully constructed arrangement of colors and symbols.

• Colors and Arrangement: The flag's field is a vibrant red. In the center is a large white diamond, bordered by a band of blue. This diamond shape is the most prominent feature and is a direct symbol of Arkansas’s unique status as the only state in the U.S. where diamonds are found and mined.

• The Stars and Their Meaning: The stars on the flag are not just decorative; they each have a specific historical significance:

  • The Twenty-Five White Stars: A total of 25 white stars are arranged in a ring within the blue border of the diamond, encircling the state's name. These stars represent Arkansas’s position as the 25th state to be admitted to the Union in 1836.

  • The Thirteen Outer Stars: A group of 13 white stars is placed within the blue border of the diamond, symbolizing the thirteen original colonies of the United States.

  • The Single Blue Star: The lone blue star positioned above the name "ARKANSAS" represents the Confederate States of America, acknowledging the state’s membership in the Confederacy during the Civil War.

  • The Four Main Stars: The four largest stars, one at each point of the diamond, hold a particularly complex meaning. The star above the name represents the Confederacy. The three stars grouped at the bottom point represent the three nations that have held sovereignty over the region: France, Spain, and the United States.

• The Word "ARKANSAS": The state's name is boldly displayed in blue capital letters across the center of the diamond. The color blue connects the name to the stars and the border, tying all the elements together.

A Brief History of the Flag's Creation and Adoption

The creation of the Arkansas flag is a tale of a contest, a flawed design, and subsequent corrections.

• The 1913 Design Contest: In 1912, the Pine Bluff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) sponsored a contest to design an official state flag. A flag was needed for the launching of the battleship USS Arkansas. The winning design was submitted by Willie Hocker, a local woman from Wabbaseka. Her original design featured a red field, a white diamond, the word "ARKANSAS," and 25 white stars representing statehood. However, it lacked the intricate star arrangement seen today.

• Modifications and Revisions: The initial design was deemed too simple for a national symbol. The legislature, in 1923, added a new ring of 13 stars around the diamond to represent the original colonies. This created a problem, as it resulted in a total of 14 stars surrounding the diamond, contradicting the symbolic count.

• The 1924 Final Design: To rectify this, the legislature approved a new design. The ring of 13 stars was maintained, and the three stars at the bottom of the diamond were placed to represent the three nations that had governed the region. The single blue star at the top was added to represent the Confederacy. This complex set of changes resulted in the flag’s current form, which was officially approved in 1924 and has remained a symbol of the state ever since. Minor spacing changes were made in 1987 to standardize the design.

Historical Context and the State of Arkansas

The Arkansas flag is a unique historical document. It reflects a state that has been a part of different nations, a member of the Confederacy, and an integral part of the American Union. The diamond shape is a nod to its natural resources and geology, particularly the Crater of Diamonds State Park, a unique tourist destination. The flag tells a story of sovereignty, statehood, and the Civil War, all encapsulated in one visually striking design.

Significance for Residents

For the people of Arkansas, the flag is a powerful emblem of their state's distinct identity. It represents their pride in the state’s natural beauty and resources, symbolized by the diamond. The stars and their complex meanings are a constant reminder of the state’s layered history, its place in the nation, and the historical events that have shaped its character. The flag is a symbol of their home—a place with a rich, unique heritage that is a point of pride for its citizens.

Interesting Facts

• The flag was designed by Willie Hocker, who received a $10 prize for her winning design in a contest.

• Arkansas’s state flag has been officially modified more times than any other U.S. state flag.

• The diamond shape on the flag is a direct reference to the Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro, the only place in North America where the public can mine for diamonds.

• The grouping of the three stars at the bottom to represent Spain, France, and the United States is a distinctive and meaningful detail not found on other state flags.

• The flag’s design is often called a "state flag of the people" because it was designed by a citizen through a public contest, rather than by a government official.

• The current design was created to resolve a logistical and symbolic problem after the initial design was adopted, highlighting the importance of every detail.

In the demonstration images, full-size flags are shown with proportions of 2:3, and hand-held flags with proportions of 1:2.