Flag of Maine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
State of Maine

Name	Maine State Flag
Use	Civil and state flag
Proportion	26:33
Adopted	1909-02-23
Design	A state coat of arms on a blue field.
Variant flag of State of Maine
Name	Maine Merchant and Marine Flag
Use	Ensign
Adopted	1939-03-16
Design	Green pine tree with a blue anchor around its base on a white field with "DIRIGO" in blue above the pine tree and "MAINE" in blue below

The flag of the U.S. state of Maine shows the state coat of arms on a blue background. In the middle of a shield, a moose rests under a tall pine tree. A farmer and a seaman stand for Maine's history of farming and sea activities. The North Star points to the state motto: dirigo, which means 'I lead'.

In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) surveyed flags. They ranked Maine's flag as one of the less well-designed. Out of 72 flags from U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces, Maine's flag was 60th.

How the Flag Was Designed

The law that created Maine's flag was passed on February 23, 1909. Its design was inspired by flags used during the American Civil War.

The law says the flag should be blue, like the blue on the United States flag. It also says the state coat of arms should be in the center. The flag should also have a yellow silk fringe and a blue and white silk cord. However, most flags made today do not include these extra decorations.

The coat of arms itself does not have official colors. This means you might see slight color differences in flags from different makers. But the blue background is always the same blue as the U.S. flag.

A Look at Maine's Flag History

Maine's First Flag

Maine's first flag, from 1901, had a green pine tree in the middle. The pine tree is a symbol of New England and freedom. It also had a blue "North Star" on a light yellow background. Some records suggest an earlier state flag was carried in 1880, but its design is unknown.

The Current State Flag

The Maine government approved the current flag on February 24, 1909. This is the flag you see today.

Maine's Special Ship Flag

Maine is one of only two states with a separate ensign. An ensign is a special flag used on ships. The other state with an ensign is Massachusetts. Maine's ensign is rarely seen. It has a white background with a green pine tree. Around the tree are a blue anchor and the words "MAINE" and "DIRIGO".

Early Military Flags

From 1822 to 1861, Maine's local army units, called the militia, used a semi-official state flag. After Maine became separate from Massachusetts in 1820, new flags were needed for its soldiers. These flags were printed on silk. Some parts of these old flags still exist today. One is at the Maine Historical Society. The last time this flag was known to be used was in 1861 during the American Civil War.

The 20th Maine Regiment Flag

The 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment used several different flags during the American Civil War.

The 2020 Bicentennial Flag

In 2019, lawmakers in Maine wanted to adopt a simpler flag. They looked at designs based on the original 1901 flag. One idea was a flag with a light yellow background, a blue star, and a green pine tree. Another design by Jeff Van West had a white star on a dark blue sky over a lighter blue water. His design showed the tree going off the flag's edge, making it feel like you were in a forest looking out at the water.

The idea to change the state flag did not pass. However, the government did approve a flag for Maine's 200th birthday in 2020. Several designs were suggested. The winning design was based on Jeff Van West's idea, but with a white star instead of a colorful one. This became the Maine 2020 Bicentennial Flag. Since then, many people have wanted to bring back a modern version of the 1901 flag.

The 2024 Flag Redesign Vote

In November 2024, Maine held a public vote. People voted on whether to bring back the 1901 flag or keep the current one. The vote was first planned for 2023 but was moved to 2024.

On August 5, 2024, the winner of a flag redesign contest was announced. Adam Lemire won with his design. His flag shows a pine tree with sixteen branches, one for each of Maine's counties. However, in the November 2024 vote, the proposed new flag was rejected by the public.

Other Flags Used in Maine's History

See also

• Flag of Massachusetts
• Symbols of the state of Maine
• Flag of New England