Flag of Indianapolis facts for kids
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| Proportion | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Adopted | May 20, 1963 |
| Design | A white star within a red circle within a white circle, with four white stripes moving outward perpendicularly, on a field of dark blue. |
| Designed by | Roger E. Gohl |
The flag of Indianapolis is a special symbol for the city of Indianapolis, which is in Indiana, United States. It has a dark blue background with a bright white star in the middle. This star points upwards. Around the star, there is a red circle. This red circle is then surrounded by a white ring. From this white ring, four white stripes spread out. They go up, down, left, and right, dividing the blue background into four equal parts.
This flag design was chosen by the City of Indianapolis on May 20, 1963. It was first flown high above the City–County Building on November 7, 1963. A talented student named Roger E. Gohl designed the flag. He was studying at the John Herron Art Institute when he created this important symbol.
Contents
What the Indianapolis Flag Looks Like
The flag of Indianapolis has a very clear and meaningful design. The main color of the flag is a deep, dark blue. This blue color covers most of the flag. In the very center, you will see a white star with five points. This star always points straight up.
Around the white star, there is a bold red circle. This red circle makes the star stand out even more. Then, surrounding the red circle, there is a white ring. This white ring is the same width as the stripes that spread out from it.
Four white stripes extend from this white ring. They go in four directions: one stripe goes up, one goes down, one goes to the left (towards the flagpole), and one goes to the right (away from the flagpole). These stripes divide the dark blue part of the flag into four equal sections. Each of these stripes is about one-seventh of the flag's total width. The red circle in the middle is about two-ninths of the flag's width.
The Story Behind the Flag's Design
The current flag of Indianapolis was chosen in 1963. Before this, the city had a different flag. City leaders wanted a new design that would better represent Indianapolis. They held a competition to find the best new flag.
Many people submitted their ideas. The winning design came from Roger E. Gohl. He was a student at the John Herron Art Institute. His design was picked because it was simple, unique, and full of meaning. On May 20, 1963, the city officially adopted his design. A few months later, on November 7, 1963, the new flag was proudly raised for the first time. This happened at the City-County Building, which is an important government building in Indianapolis.
What the Flag's Symbols Mean
Each part of the Indianapolis flag has a special meaning.
- The white star in the center stands for Indianapolis itself. It shows that Indianapolis is the capital city of Indiana. It is also a central point for many important activities in the state.
- The red circle around the star represents the energy and passion of the city's people. It can also symbolize the heart of the city.
- The white ring and the four white stripes have a very important meaning. They show that Indianapolis is a major center for transportation. The city is known for its many roads, highways, and railways that connect it to other places. These stripes look like roads or paths leading to and from the city's center.
- The dark blue background represents the strength and loyalty of Indianapolis and its citizens. It also gives the flag a calm and stable feeling.
Together, these symbols tell a story about Indianapolis. They show it as a strong, central city with important connections to the rest of the world.
Old Flags of Indianapolis
Before the current flag was adopted in 1963, Indianapolis had a different flag. This older flag was used from 1915 until 1963. It had a different look and different symbols. The change to the new flag in 1963 showed a desire for a fresh, modern symbol for the growing city.
Images for kids
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The flag used by Indianapolis from 1915 to 1963. -
This flag was used for the NAVA Meeting 38, which took place in Indianapolis. Meeting flags often include parts that show the host city.
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