Indiana State Flags

Only one flag has ever represented the state of Indiana, and it has only existed for approximately half of the state's time in the Union. The Indiana state flag was designed in order to represent the state's centennial anniversary, and it has represented the state for approximately one hundred years since that time.

The North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) ranked the design and relevance of the flag at position 32 out of the 72 participants drawn from America and Canada.

Who Designed the Indiana State Flag?

The flag was designed by Paul Hadley. At the request of the General Assembly, a contest was sponsored by the Indiana Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution to design a flag to serve as the official state banner. As an incentive to increase the number of submissions, the contest offered the winner a one hundred dollar cash prize.

The entry created by Paul Hadley of Mooresville, Indiana, was ultimately chosen as the winner of the contest and the cash prize.

The General Assembly made only one change to Hadley's original design: they added the word Indiana, in a crescent shape, over the top of the torch. The state banner was later renamed the state's flag in a new statute passed in 1955 that also standardized the dimensions of the flag. The design was then made into the official state banner on May 31, 1917.

When was the Indiana State Flag Adopted?

It was officially adopted by the state of Indiana on May 11, 1917. The blue and gold state flag of Indiana was adopted by the 1917 General Assembly as part of the 1916 Indiana centennial celebration. Since, Indiana has maintained the same flag for the last 102 years.

What is the Design of the Indiana State Flag?

The 2 main colors in the Indiana flag are Stratos and Gamboge. The Indiana state flag is a deep, beautiful blue. Across the surface of the flag is a design of nineteen gold stars with a burning torch in the center. Thirteen of the stars circle the outer side of the torch while a semi-circle of 5 stars appears below. Just above the torch a single star shines which was made just a little bit bigger than all the others. There are six lines stretching from the torch to the edge of the flag.

What does the Indiana State Flag Represent?

The torch is a symbol for liberty and enlightenment; the rays represent their far-reaching influence. Thirteen stars in the outer circle symbolize the original thirteen states; the inner semi-circle of five stars represents the next five states to join the Union; and the large star above the torch is a symbol of Indiana. The star is meant to represent the state with the word “Indiana” printed above. These are supposed to be beams of light. Blue on a flag can mean peace, prosperity, freedom and patriotism. The state was enjoined into the US states as the 19th state. This is commemorated by the 19 stars on the flag. The stars are further arranged in two clusters.

Displaying the Indiana State Flag?

The flag is flown by all government agencies on their premises. Learning institutions, townships, and military are also mandated to hoist the flag. It should be hoisted from sunrise to sunset and at full mast unless for certain reasons such as during a period of mourning or after the occurrence of an event that necessitates it to be flown at half-mast. The flag can be used outside the state by any of its residents as a form of identification, especially if on official duty. It can also be hoisted during national events. A ship can also hoist it when in the high seas while a resident can mount one on their car.

Indiana takes its name from the huge Indian community that lived here when French first came to explore the land in the seventeenth century. More than 15 different tribes have lived or have crossed this state during the centuries preceding colonization. Indiana joined the United States July 4, 1818. Indiana is known as the "Hoosier State" (still discussed origin), and its capital is Indianapolis.