The State Flag of Maine

The official flag of the state of Maine dates back to February 23, 1909. This was not the first time that a proposal was made for a state flag, nor the first design offered. In 1901, a buff- colored flag was suggested with a pine tree in the center of it and a blue star above it. The later proposal changed the design of the flag to what it is today.

The "new" flag

The flag which was adopted in 1909 has a great many differences from the one proposed in 1901. The background is blue, supposedly the same blue as that found in the United States flag. Maine's coat of arms sits in the middle of the flag with a lighter blue banner beneath it which simply says "Maine." Above the coat of arms is a yellow star, with a red banner below it that reads "Dirigo."

The coat of arms

Maine's coat of arms depicts two men, a seaman with an anchor on the right and a farmer with a scythe on the left, significant because they represent the two biggest industries of the time: agriculture and sea. The two men are separated by a shield which shows a large pine tree (indigenous to Maine) and a moose (the state animal) lying beneath it. Surrounding these are sky, grass and water.

The star and banners

The yellow star lying directly above the coat of arms symbolizes the North Star. At the time the flag was adopted, Maine was the state farthest to the north of all the states. "Dirigo," Maine's state motto, which is on the red banner just below the star, is Latin for "I direct," symbolic because the North Star gives direction to seaman, and did so even more at that time. Below the coat of arms is the lighter blue banner with the state's name emblazoned upon it.

The state flag of Maine represents many things about the state. The people, animals and plants all have a place of prominence in the coat of arms. The state's name and motto are also part of the flag. Maine's flag is indeed rich in symbolism and heritage.