Flag of Prince George's County, Maryland facts for kids
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| Names | Prince Georgian flag, P.G. County flag |
|---|---|
| Use | Other  |
| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Adopted | 1963 |
| Design | A three-foot by five-foot white field, with a four inch-thick red cross atop it. In the canton is a rendition of the Prince George's County seal from 1958. |
The flag of Prince George's County, Maryland, is a special symbol for the county. It was officially chosen in 1963. Before this, the county used a different flag that was very old, dating back to 1696.
The flag has a simple design. It is a white flag that is 3 parts tall and 5 parts wide. On top of the white background, there is a big red cross. This cross is called a St. George's Cross. In the top left corner, which is called the canton, you can see the official seal of Prince George's County.
Even though the rules say the flag should show an older version of the county seal (from 1958), most flags made today actually use the newer seal (from 1971).
Contents
History of the Flag
The story of the Prince George's County flag goes way back to 1696. This was when Prince George's County was first formed. At that time, the area was under English rule.
The very first flag used by the county was simple. It had a red St. George's Cross on a white background. This red cross was a well-known symbol. It was used to represent Christian bravery and sacrifice, especially during the time of the Crusades. Horse riders and foot soldiers in the county would use this flag.
Why the Flag Changed
Over time, the county wanted its flag to be more unique. So, in 1963, a change was made. The official seal of Prince George's County was added to the flag. This seal had been designed a few years earlier, in 1958. Adding the seal helped the flag stand out from other flags that might have a similar cross design.
What Does the Flag Look Like?
The flag of Prince George's County is mostly white. It has a large red cross in the middle. This cross stretches across the entire flag. In the top left corner, there is a picture of the county's official seal.
Official Details of the Design
The official rules for the flag say it should use the county seal from 1958. However, most flags you see today, even those used by the county government, have the newer seal from 1971. The main differences between the two seals are small. The older 1958 seal does not have an apostrophe in "George's." It also uses the letter "V" where the newer 1971 seal uses the letter "U."
Images for kids
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The Prince George's County flag from 1696 to 1963.
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The Prince George's County flag with the 1958-specification county seal, as specified by the county code. Actually-manufactured flags that follow the county code's definition are quite rare and most ones instead use the 1971-introduced seal.
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