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Maine State Flag

By Ann Kent


The earliest human habitation in what is now Maine can be traced back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the burial mounds of the Red Paint people found in the south-central part of the state. The Native Americans who came later left enormous shell heaps, variously estimated to be from 1,000 to 5,000 years old. At the time of settlement by Europeans, the Abnaki were scattered along the coast and in some inland areas.

Bertha Smouse is believed to be the original designer of the state seal. Smouse was the step-daughter of Colonel Isaac Gardiner Reed who was the chair of the Committee charged with the task of designing the Great Seal of Maine. Her design was accepted in 1820, shortly after Maine joined the Union as the 23rd state.

The original 1901 Maine flag was much simpler than the current one, consisting of just a pine tree against a yellow background with a blue North Star on the upper left-hand corner. However, designs for the current flag gained approval by the Maine legislature on February 23, 1909. Interestingly, there are no official colors of the state seal, just that the blue field on the flag must match the color of the U.S. flag. Therefore, this flag’s coat of arms may come in a variety of colors!

The blue color of the flag tallies with the blue shade used by the US flag. The heart of the flag bears an embroidery of the State coat of arms of Maine. The edge of the flag is decorated with a two and a half inches broad, yellow colored silk, knotted fringe. The images on the Maine State coat of arms are those of land, sea, a moose, and a pine tree. On one side of the shield is a farmer supporting himself on a scythe and the other side has a sailor resting on an anchor.

The color blue on a flag commonly represents vigilance, truth, justice, loyalty and perseverance. The farmer and seaman flanking this particular shield symbolize Maine’s reliance on agriculture and the sea. Centered on in the shield grows a pine tree that represents the state’s timber and ship building industries. Pine trees can also symbolize friendships and enduring fame. Under the pine tree rests a moose, the state animal.

There is a barrage of cheap and inferior Maine flags being imported and sold, that do not comply with the flag statute. This is bad for a number of reasons. Imported flags are cheaply made and more importantly, the designs, materials, colors, and methods of printing do not compare well with the better quality, longer-lasting, and correctly designed flags made by American manufacturers. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Maine flag for the future.




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