Flag of Georgia facts for kids

The term Flag of Georgia can refer to two important flags: the national flag of the country Georgia, and the state flag of Georgia in the United States of America. Both flags have unique designs and histories that tell stories about their people and past.

Flag of Georgia (Country)

The national flag of the country Georgia is also known as the "Five Cross Flag." It is a white rectangle with a large red cross in the center. This cross divides the flag into four sections. In each of these four sections, there is a smaller red cross.

What does the Georgian flag look like?

The flag of Georgia has a white background, which stands for purity and innocence. The large red cross in the middle is called the Cross of St. George. It is a symbol of Christianity, which is very important to Georgia's history and culture. The four smaller red crosses, known as Bolnisi crosses, are placed in each corner. These smaller crosses are also ancient Christian symbols. The red color on the flag represents bravery and love.

The history of Georgia's flag

The current flag of Georgia was officially adopted on January 14, 2004. However, its design is much older. It was used by the Georgian Kingdom in the Middle Ages. After Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, they used a different flag for a while. But the people really loved the old five-cross design, and it was brought back.

The Five Cross Flag

The five-cross design was first used in the 13th century by the Kingdom of Georgia. It was a powerful symbol during the country's golden age. The design was forgotten for many centuries. It was rediscovered in the late 20th century and became a popular symbol for Georgians wanting independence. When the Rose Revolution happened in 2003, this flag was widely used by protesters. Its popularity led to its official adoption as the national flag.

The Georgian Soviet Flag

Before 1991, when Georgia was part of the Soviet Union, it had a different flag. This flag was the Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. It was mostly red, like other Soviet flags. It had a blue stripe at the top and a blue sun with a hammer and sickle symbol in the corner. The hammer and sickle were symbols of the Soviet Union, representing workers and farmers. This flag was replaced when Georgia became an independent country.

Flag of Georgia (U.S. State)

The flag of the U.S. state of Georgia has changed many times throughout its history. The current flag was adopted on May 8, 2003. It features three stripes and a special design on the left side.

What does the Georgia state flag look like?

The flag of the U.S. state of Georgia has three horizontal stripes. The top and bottom stripes are red, and the middle stripe is white. On the left side of the flag, there is a blue square. Inside this blue square is the state's coat of arms. The coat of arms shows three pillars supporting an arch, with the word "Constitution" written on the arch. The pillars represent the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. A soldier stands in front of the pillars, holding a sword. This symbolizes the state's defense. Around the coat of arms, there are 13 white stars. These stars represent Georgia and the other 12 original colonies that formed the United States.

The history of Georgia's state flag

Georgia has had many different state flags since it became a state. The designs often reflected important historical events or political changes. For example, some past flags included symbols from the Confederate States of America, which caused debate and led to changes. The current flag was designed to be a compromise and to represent the state's history and values in a way that all Georgians could be proud of. The blue section with the state seal is a nod to earlier flags, while the red and white stripes are similar to the "Stars and Bars" flag, which was an early Confederate flag, but without the controversial elements.