 | What is the design of the Tennessee state flag? |
| | | The design is an emblem on a field (background) of red, with a strip of blue on the fly. The emblem of the middle consists of three stars on a blue circle. |
| What does the emblem symbolize? |
| | | The designer of the flag, LeRoy Reeves, described his design explaining it would include three stars to represent the three grand divisions of the state. Reeves said "They are bound together by the endless circle of the blue field, the symbol being three bound together in one - an indissoluble trinity." |
| | | The three stars were also erroneously reported by National Geographic magazine in October 1917 to reflect that Tennessee was the third state to be admitted into the Union after the original thirteen states |
| | | According to the ancient laws of heraldry a star symbolizes honor, achievement and hope. |
| What does the blue bar symbolize? |
| | | The designer of the Tennessee flag, LeRoy Reeves, added the blue bar as a design consideration. He stated that "The final blue bar relieves the sameness of the crimson field and prevents the flag from showing too much crimson when hanging limp." |
| What are the colors and what do the colors mean, or symbolize, in heraldry? |
| | | The color red is a symbol of hardiness, bravery, strength & valor |
| | | The color blue symbolizes vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice |
| | | The color white is a symbol of peace and honesty |
| | | The American combination of red, white and blue symbolizes revolution and freedom and the adoption of these colors indicate the loyalty of Tennessee to the nation |
| What is the shape and flag ratio? The 'Hoist' is the width and the 'Fly' is the length. |
| | | The ratio is 3:5 meaning it is 3 units tall for every 5 units wide. |
| Who designed the Tennessee State Flag? |
| | | The name of the designer was LeRoy Reeves (1876-1960), captain of Johnson City's National Guard. Before his retirement in 1940, he advanced to the rank of colonel. |
| What is the history of the Tennessee State Flag? |
| | | 1897-1905: A tricolor flag in slanted bands of red, blue, and white was flown. The three slanted bands geographically represented the three regions of Tennessee. The blue number 16 and the words "The Volunteer State" (the state's nickname) was also displayed in gold representing Tennessee being the 16th state in the Union |
| | | 1905: The flag designed by LeRoy Reeves was adopted by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly passed and approved April 17, 1905 |
| When was the Tennessee State Flag officially adopted by the state's legislature? (Most US flags were designed in 19th & 20th centuries) |
| | | The Tennessee State flag was officially adopted February 3, 1905 |
| What is the Tennessee Pledge of Allegiance and Salute? |
| | | The Pledge of Allegiance is as follows: "Three white stars on a field of blue
God keep them strong and ever true
It is with pride and love that we
Salute the Flag of Tennessee."
|
| | | The salute should be made by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. |
| The Tennessee flag is kept and used as required by the code specified in the constitution of the state. |
