Flag of Massachusetts
U.S. state flag
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 coat of arms of the Commonwealth 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).
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| Use | Civil and state flag |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Adopted | March 18, 1908 (initial version) 1971 (current design) |
| Design | A state coat of arms on a white field. |
| Flag of the governor of Massachusetts | |
 | |
| Design | State flag in the form of a pennant. |
| Massachusetts ensign | |
 | |
| Use | Naval ensign  |
| Adopted | 1971 |
| Design | A green tree on a white field. |
With Florida, it is one of only two state flags to prominently feature a Native American. The flag of Minnesota also featured a Native American until 2024.
Statute
The 2023 Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title I, Chapter 2, § 3 defines that the flag of the Commonwealth shall consist of:
...a white rectangular field, bearing on either side a representation of the arms of the Commonwealth, except that the star shall be white
Design of the coat of arms
The law defining the coat of arms of the commonwealth (MA Gen L ch 2 § 1) states that it shall consist of:[1]
...a blue shield with an Indian thereon, dressed in a shirt, leggings, and moccasins, holding in his right hand a bow, and in his left hand an arrow, point downward, all of gold; and, in the upper right-hand corner of the field a silver star of five points. The crest shall be, on a wreath of gold and blue, a right arm, bent at the elbow, clothed and ruffled, and grasping a broad-sword, all of gold. The motto Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem shall appear in gold on a blue ribbon.
The current graphic form, based on earlier colonial and Revolutionary imagery, was drawn by artist Edmund H. Garrett and adopted in 1900.[2] The figure on the shield, as standardized in 1890, is a composite whose head was modeled after the Ojibwe leader Thomas Little Shell.
Design and symbolism
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 modeled on a photo of Ojibwe chief Thomas Little Shell.[3] 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").[4]
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[5] and signifies the philosophy that one would rather lose their right arm than live under tyranny.[citation needed][6]
History
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The reverse side of the flag from 1908 to 1971The 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.[7]
Pre-official flags
In 1860, the first state flag was flown over the state house,[8] the flag was again displayed over the house 3 years later.[9]
In January 1876, ex-Governor Shepard held a party in Washington D.C. In the center of the reception was and arch, and hanging from it was a white pennant bearing the coat of arms of the state in the middle.[10]
In 1882, Governor Long order that the state flag be raised over the state house.[11]
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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.[12][13] The flag was later displayed at the Chicago World's Fair on the Massachusetts building.[14] The whole thing measured 14 feet (4.2m) by 20 feet (6m).[15]
In 1895, the city of Boston held the state Republican convention at the city's music hall. The whole room was decorated with flags and behind the main stage was a massive banner bearing the states coat of arms.[16]
In 1896, delegates from the state traveled to Indianapolis to show support to presidential candidate Grover Cleveland. They carried with them a "state banner".[17] It was described as: "white silk with the coat-of-arms of the State embroidered in the center."[18]
In 1906, Governor Guild displayed a state flag in Boston's civic center. It was similar to the 1908 state flag but with a scroll on the reverse side containing the words: "Headquarters of Commander-of-Chief." Also bearing Laurus nobilis and palm leaves around the shield.[19]
Official flags
When the official state flag was adopted on March 18, 1908,[20][21] the flag had a reverse side that featured a green pine on a blue shield. In 1971, the reverse side was removed.[7]
In 1917, the flag was used by Governor Samuel W. McCall as his personal flag.[22]
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".[23]
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.
The Massachusetts naval ensign from 1776 to 1971
The current ensign from 1971 onwards
Flags associated with Massachusetts
The English Red Ensign, the first flag flown by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In use from 1620–1708.
A variant red ensign commonly used in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Saint George's Cross was removed for religious reasons. In use primarily from 1634–1686.[24]
The personal standard of Edmund Andros, used as flag of the Dominion of New England. Flown over Boston from 1686–1689 until the Boston Revolt.
A flag (and ensign) of New England, used by merchant ships sailing out of New England ports. In use 1686–1775.[24][25]
Flown by the Province of Massachusetts Bay after the 1707 Acts of Union. The Flag of Great Britain replaces the English flag in the canton. In use 1708–1775.
Variant of the New England variant of the red ensign, redesigned to incorporate the Union Flag. In use 1708–1775.
Flag of New England with the British symbols removed from the canton.[26] In use as a flag of New England 1775–present.
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Attempts to change the flag
Special Commission (2021–2023)
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."[27] The bill was previously approved by the Massachusetts Senate on July 28, 2020.[28] 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.[29] 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[30] In May 2022, the Commission recommended changing the seal, motto, and flag;[31] 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.[32] 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.[33]
Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission (2024–present)
On July 29, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed a budget amendment to change the state flag, seal, and motto.[34] Public proposals were invited during May and June 2025,[35][36] resulting in 1,165 submissions, with the Commission narrowing down the submissions to 48 semi-finalists.[37] Of the 48 semi-finalist designs, 21 used a white field, 16 a blue field, and 9 a cranberry field. Blue appeared in 39 designs overall and white in 35. Common motifs included five-point stars (30), pine trees (18, 8 of which appeared on blue shields), Mayflowers (6), lighthouses (4), waves (6), and whale tails (5). Thirteen designs featured exactly six five-point stars. Gold and green were primarily used as accents in stars, suns, or trees, with green mainly for pine trees. The Commission publicized the final three flag proposals on August 28, 2025.[38]
- The Blue Hill Banner
A blue hill on the hoist side represents both Massachusetts' hilly terrain and its namesake, the Massachusett tribe, whose name roughly translates to "at the great hill," referring to what is now called Great Blue Hill. Six blue and white waves extend from the hill, symbolizing the state's coastal regions and its status as the sixth state to join the Union. A golden eight-pointed star sits atop the hill; its compass rose form honors the state's maritime heritage, and its placement references John Winthrop's sermon describing the colony as "a city upon a hill." The flag's submitter acknowledges that aspects of Winthrop's colonial worldview are outdated and problematic, but emphasizes the sermon's core message of the common good as a guiding principle.[38]
- Mayflower
The Mayflower symbolizes the Pilgrims' arrival in 1620 and the founding of Plymouth Colony, while also recognizing that Indigenous peoples of the Northeast used the plant for medicinal purposes. Each petal mirrors the shape of the shield on the 1908 (current) flag, and the bud forming six-pointed gold star represents Massachusetts as the sixth state to join the Union, with its gold color recalling the dome of the State House. The dark blue background signifies the coastal waters that have sustained "the Bay State" throughout its history.[38]
- Turkey Feathers
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 Turkey Feathers design |
Six feathers are arranged in a circle on a crimson background, representing Massachusetts as the sixth state to join the Union. Turkey feathers symbolize health and well-being and are used by Indigenous communities in clothing, decoration, ceremonies, and dances. The circular shape signifies harmony and continuity, and the clockwise orientation suggests progress. The crimson background reflects the color's strong association with the state, as it is used by Arlington Public Schools, UMass Amherst, Harvard, and MIT.[38]
