Sometimes it’s easy for us to think that the design of the flag is something immutable. Flags are an important element and something we internalize when studying geography at school, but the truth is that flags change over time. They are adapting to the social and political situations of both countries and communities, and the winds of change are blowing in the United States.

So much so that there are states that change their flags, and there are those who think about it.

5 basic principles. Although there are no rules written in stone when designing a flag, several years ago the North American Vexillological Association (known as NAVA) outlined a set of basic principles for designing a flag. It is clear that these are their criteria, but considering that we will be dealing with an issue from the United States, it is interesting to know these principles. These are:

• Simplicity: It should be simple enough that the child can draw it from memory.
• Symbolism: symbols, images, colors and designs should relate to each other and express what they want to convey or represent.
• Use a small number of colors: limit them to no more than three that are basic and contrasting with each other.
• Do not include letters or seals: Never reproduce inscriptions, stamps or seals of organizations.
• Be different from others or be related: Do not copy an already existing flag unless the similarity is due to historical, regional or family affiliation.

They are not written in stone. But laws are being made, traps are being made, and with the exception of some flags that are very rare around the world, most states in the United States do not abide by these principles. It must be said that many of the flags that deviate from the ‘norm’ were designed decades before these ‘commandments’. An example is Colorado, which is a giant ‘C’, but it works because of its size and not being too complex. Another example is the California flag, which features the classic bear, star, and “Republic of California” text; yes it is text, but it is quite large and recognizable.

California and Colorado flags above. They don’t follow the rules, but they are recognized. Below are those in Kentucky and New Hampshire

Regardless of size, being easy to identify is something to consider. For example, compare the Texas flag to the Minnesota flag. It’s okay if it’s big, but when we reduce the size, none of its elements are defined.

Minnesota vs Texas. What is the easiest way to draw for a child?

minimalist fashion. And something similar to what happened to the Utah flag. And we say “was” because this year the new design went into effect, which greatly simplifies things and looks set to serve as a model for other states. The current Utah flag, which has been in effect for more than a century, had many elements: a beehive symbolizing community spirit, an American bald eagle, lilies, the nation’s flag, “Industry” text, and different dates symbolizing important dates such as the naming of the state.

The problem is that it looks extremely similar to many things in other states: a circular element with a blue background, like Virginia, Kentucky, New Hampshire, or Nebraska, to name a few. These all have unique elements of each stadium, but they are still miniatures. In 2023, Utah got tired of this and approved a new flag:

Before and after Utah flag redesign

In this new design, much simpler, the state has its own elements. Of course, it is not possible for the star to be missing, but the hive remains. We see the tricolor of the North American flag, and the peaks correspond to snow-capped peaks (white stripe) and red rock canyons (red stripe). That’s it: simpler, easier to remember, distinctive elements, and easier for a child to color. Conforms to everything specified by NAVA. The Utah flag isn’t the first to be redesigned.

Reflects another reality. In 2020, Mississippi made headlines as it became the latest state to remove the Confederate flag emblem from its flag. This flag is intriguing because it dates back to 1894 and a referendum was launched in 2001 to start the process of change. 65% of the population voted against it, so it remained in effect for another 19 years.

Before and after the Mississippi flag redesign

However, Confederate symbols also have specific political connotations. In 2020, when George Floyd died of suffocation at the hands of a police officer and protests against police brutality spread around the world, leaders revived the debate. Finally, on November 3 of the same year, the new design was adopted, eliminating Confederate symbology.

Another example of a flag that has been controversial for decades is the Minnesota flag. In the photo (other than not adhering to NAVA guidelines due to the number of small elements shown), we can see a Native American carrying a spear on his horse, with a settler plowing the land and a rifle leaning against a log. It is a flag that has long been thought to be racist but has not been changed. One of NAVA’s 10 ugliest since 1960.

Minnesota before and after

Now, after a competition in which nearly 2,500 designs were submitted, a much more minimalist flag has been approved, consisting of a star and two dominant colors (blue, a symbol of the state’s aquatic wealth). The authors’ goal is for everyone to feel identified with this flag.

Other states, like Maine, are also looking to join this wave of integration and simpler designs. Illinois could be one of the next. In fact, the Illinois flag is meaningless, so much so that the state senator himself stated: “It doesn’t matter where you see the Texas flag: You know the Lone Star State. If it were Illinois, you wouldn’t know it was Illinois.” “If not, check it because it is written at the bottom.”

minor changes. Accordingly, it is clear that flags are not a fixed thing, although the examples discussed are extreme, some states from time to time modernize their flags, simplifying elements, standardizing some parts, polishing or even changing the design of some drawings. slogans. For example, in 1992, South Dakota changed the “Sunshine State” to the “Mount Rushmore State.”

Not everyone’s cup of tea. Now we already know how important flags are to some people, and these redesigns are not only not to be taken lightly, but also have a lot of controversy behind them. In the case of Minnesota’s new flag, the simple design was criticized, but some rural counties passed resolutions defending the flag and condemning the selection process. Additionally, in March of this year, Republican lawmakers announced that they would submit a bill to put the design to a public vote.

In the case of the Utah flag, several petitions to reverse the situation, as well as a bill to repeal the new design, have been introduced in the Utah House of Representatives, but this has not progressed.

More or less popular, at least from the outside, and having nothing to do with the states changing flags, it is undeniable that the new designs comply with NAVA principles. American vexillologists must be satisfied.

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