Flag of Massachusetts

The flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was adopted on March 18, 1908, and has only been changed once in 1971 with the removal of the reverse side. The flag features the state seal on a white field. The state currently has three official flags: a state flag, a governor's flag, and a "naval and maritime flag" (despite it no longer having its own naval militia).

With Florida, it is one of only two state flags to prominently feature a Native American in its heraldry. There was a third state flag, the flag of Minnesota, which used to feature a Native American until 2024.

History

Template:See also The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been represented by official but limited-purpose flags since 1676, though until 1908, it had no state flag to represent its government. A variant of the white flag with blue seal was carried by each of the Massachusetts volunteer regiments during the American Civil War alongside the National Colors. An exception were the two "Irish regiments" (the 9th and 28th Volunteers), each of which was permitted to carry an alternative green flag with a harp symbol.<ref name=":0" />

File:Flag of Massachusetts (1920).png

State flag from 1920<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1892, Commodore Gerry's yacht flew a state flag that was described as "a white flag bearing the state coat of arms". Upon seeing the flag, state governor William E. Russell wanted a copy. Russell traveled throughout the state asking for one. When he finally got to Adjutant General Dalton, he was informed that there was a flag stored in Fort Warren. The flag was later sent to the Governor on board the America.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1896, delegates from the state traveled to Indianapolis to show support to presidential candidate Grover Cleveland. They carried with them a "state banner".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It is unknown when it was made and what the design was.

When the official state flag was adopted on March 18, 1908, the flag had a reverse side that featured a green pine on a blue shield. In 1971, the reverse side was removed.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1917, the flag was used by Governor Samuel W. McCall as his personal flag.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Design and symbolism

File:Massachusetts Bicentennial 13c 1976 issue.jpg

The Massachusetts state flag as depicted in the 1976 bicentennial postage stamp series.

The flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts displays, on both sides, the state coat of arms on a white field. The shield is meant to depict an Algonquian Native American with bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. However, the face of the figure is modelled on a photo of Ojibwe chief Thomas Little Shell.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying Massachusetts as a U.S. state. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem ("By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty").<ref>CIS: Latin Translation </ref>

Above the shield is the state military crest: the bent arm holding a broadsword aloft. The sword has its blade up, to remind that it was through the American Revolution that liberty was won. The sword itself is a copy of one belonging to Myles Standish<ref>Seal of the Commonwealth</ref> and signifies the philosophy that one would rather lose their right arm than live under tyranny.Template:Citation needed<ref>CIS: State Symbols, </ref>

Attempts to change the flag

File:Erroneous flag of Massachusetts (2022).svg

A flag that was incorrectly displayed as the Massachusetts state flag on a fake "Refugee Benefits" brochure distributed to the Martha's Vineyard migrants in 2022. It had originally been designed by Will Bodine in 2020, as a proposed flag for Massachusetts. The flower on the shield is a mayflower, the official state flower, while the six stars represent Massachusetts' status as the sixth state to join the Union.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 11, 2021, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill establishing a commission to change the state flag and seal by October 1, 2021, that will "faithfully reflect and embody the historic and contemporary commitments of the Commonwealth to peace, justice, liberty and equality and to spreading the opportunities and advantages of education."<ref>Governor Baker Signs the Bill Establishing a Special Commission to Change the Mass Flag and Seal</ref> The bill was previously approved by the Massachusetts Senate on July 28, 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Special Commission on Massachusetts Flag and Seal (Special Commission to Investigate the Features of the Official Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth) first met in July 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 2022 the Commission voted to ask the state legislature to extend the deadline for completion of the commission's work to March 31, 2023<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May 2022, the Commission recommended changing the seal, motto, and flag;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however the Commission failed to agree upon a proposal. With lawmakers not having extended the deadline past December 31, 2022, and the commission's own deadline having expired at the end of March 2023, as well as UMass Amherst polling showing lukewarm support for a change, the issue appeared to be closed for the time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, the commission concluded without recommending specific replacements for either flag or seal, though the commission's co-chair Brian Boyles stated that he and his colleagues had made significant progress on the issue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission

On July 29, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed a budget amendment to change the state flag, seal, and motto.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Public proposals were invited during May and June 2025,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> resulting in 1,165 submissions.

Semifinalists

The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission narrowed down the submissions to 48 semifinalists.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Finalists

The Commission publicized the final three flag proposals on August 28, 2025.<ref Name="gov">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Blue Hill Banner

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According to this flag's submitter: "This design is named, “The Blue Hill Banner,” and it has three major elements: The first element is a blue hill shape located on the hoist side of the flag. The shape symbolizes both the hilly terrain of the state and its indigenous namesake. The state was named for the Massachusett tribe, Template:Sic name translates roughly to "at the great hill," referring to a specific hill that is better known today as Great Blue Hill. The second element is a set of six blue and white waves stretching out from the hill toward the fly side of the flag. These represent the state's vibrant coastal regions, and the number six commemorates Massachusetts' being the sixth state to join the union. Lastly, the canton of the flag displays a golden eight-pointed star centered atop the hill. The star's eight points echo the shape of a compass rose, honoring Massachusetts' status as a maritime hub, and its location atop the hill alludes to a famous sermon given by John Winthrop before to the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Perhaps the most famous passage of this sermon asserts that "We must knit together in this work as one man...We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities for the supply of others' necessities...For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us." While much of the Eurocentric and imperialist ideas of Winthrop's colonial era are regrettable and far outdated, the driving sentiments behind this passage - those of putting the needs of the many over the needs of the few - ring true to the principles that I hope will guide the modern state of Massachusetts."<ref name=gov/>

Mayflower

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According to this flag's submitter: "In the center of the flag is the state flower, the mayflower. The Mayflower is a powerful symbol of Massachusetts' founding history, representing the arrival of the Pilgrim's ship in 1620 and the establishment of Plymouth Colony. The five petaled flower also holds significance in Native American traditions. Indigenous peoples of the Northeast, including the Wampanoag and other Algonquian-speaking nations, used the plant for medicinal purposes. The shape of each petal is the exact shape of the shield on the current state flag, acknowledging the flag's past. The bud of the mayflower is a six-pointed gold star. The six points represent Massachusetts admittance into the Union as the sixth state. Its gold color represents the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House. The dark blue background represents the deep waters off the coast of Massachusetts. Commonly referred to as the Bay State, Massachusetts has depended on them for sustenance throughout its history."<ref name=gov/>

Turkey Feathers

File:Massachusetts Turkey Feathers Design.jpg

According to this flag's submitter: "With this flag design, there are six feathers in a circle on a crimson color background. There are six as Massachusetts was the sixth state to join the union. Turkey feathers are often associated with health and well-being, and they are also a common symbol among the Massachusetts indigenous communities. They appear frequently in clothing and decoration, and play an important role in ceremonies and dances. A circle shape represents harmony and continuity. They face clockwise to symbolize progress/moving forward. The color crimson is often associated with education here in Massachusetts, as crimson is used as an official color by Arlington Public Schools, UMass Amherst, Harvard, and MIT."<ref name=gov/>

Naval and maritime flag

In April 1776, the Massachusetts State Navy adopted, as its flag (naval ensign), a white field charged with a green pine tree and the motto "An Appeal to Heaven." In 1971 the motto was removed, and the flag was designated "the naval and maritime flag of the Commonwealth".<ref>M.G.L. - Chapter 2, Section 3</ref>

Massachusetts is one of only three states with its own maritime ensign. The second is Maine, which was part of Massachusetts until 1820. Third and last is South Carolina, which activated her navy twice: first during the American Revolutionary War and again during the American Civil War. Template:Gallery Template:Clear

See also

• Symbols of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Flags of governors of the U.S. states
• Flag of New England
• Pine Tree Flag

External links

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