The Average American Can’t Properly Identify These State Flags

In the United States, every state has its own flag. Each flag has a unique design that represents the culture and history of that state. While some state flags are well-known by Americans across the country, most Americans couldn’t identify the state flag of many states other than their home state. If you’re interested in seeing how many you know, check out these state flags that the average American can’t properly identify.

Blue Flag with the Motto “Qui Transtulit Sustinet”

This state flag is blue with a white shield and inside the shield are three grapevines.

Answer: Connecticut

The motto on the state flag of Connecticut, “Qui Transtulit Sustinet,” is a Latin phrase that means “He who transplanted still remains.”

Colonial Blue Flag with a Coat of Arms

This state flag includes the coat of arms of the state and the background of the flag is colonial blue.

Answer: Delaware

At the bottom of the Delaware flag is the date that Delaware became a state. Delaware was the first colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution in December 1787.

A Unique Flag with Two Different Patterns

This state flag has the arms of two different families who are both important to the history of the state.

Answer: Maryland

The Maryland flag contains the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. The two banners represent 1st Baron Baltimore and the family that founded Maryland.

A Flag That Represents the Best Parts of the State

The different parts of this flag represent some of the well-known characteristics of this state, including the many bodies of water.

Answer: Minnesota

The current state flag of Minnesota was adopted in 2024. The design represents the lakes, rivers, and North Star of Minnesota.

A White Flag with a Symbol of Hope

This state flag contains a gold anchor to represent hope as well as stars to represent the 13 original colonies.

Answer: Rhode Island

The stars on the Rhode Island state flag represent the 13 original colonies as well as the fact that Rhode Island was the last of the original colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

A Blue Flag with a Palmetto Tree and a Crescent Moon

This state flag includes symbols that represent an important part of the state’s history during the Revolutionary War.

Answer: South Carolina

The Palmetto tree on the South Carolina flag represents the defense of the palmetto-log fort against the British and the crescent moon represents the symbol worn by the troops.

The Wildlife in This State is Displayed on the Flag

This state flag includes the same colors as the National flag, each representing a different aspect of the state’s history and culture.

Answer: Wyoming

Each color on the Wyoming flag represents an aspect of the state. The majority of the flag is blue, representing justice, virility, and fidelity.

A Blue Flag with a Pelican Wounding Herself

This blue state flag consists of an image of a mother pelican and includes the motto, “Union justice confidence.”

Answer: Louisiana

The symbol of the pelican from the state flag of Louisiana dates back to the Middle Ages. The action of the pelican along with the drops of blood represents self-sacrifice.

A White Flag Containing a Blue Shield and a Symbol of Peace

The blue shield on this state flag contains an image of a Native American. The direction his arrow is pointing is meant to represent peace.

Answer: Massachusetts

The Massachusetts state flag also contains the state motto, “Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem,” which means, “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”

A Blue Flag with a Coat of Arms Representing the State Seal

The center of this flag contains a coat of arms based on the seal of this state.

Answer: Michigan

The current state flag of Michigan includes three different Latin mottos to represent characteristics of the state. This flag is the third state flag in Michigan’s history.

The Center of This Flag is a Magnolia Flower

This state flag, with a magnolia and stars in the center, was only adopted in 2021.

Answer: Mississippi

The magnolia flower on Mississippi’s new state flag represents hospitality. Mississippi was the last state to have a flag with a Confederate symbol before they adopted the new flag.

Light Tan Flag with the Coat of Arms from the State Seal

This state flag is the only one to have a background that is light tan, which represents the uniforms worn during the Revolutionary War.

Answer: New Jersey

The New Jersey state flag has a coat of arms in the middle, which is the same coat of arms on the state seal for New Jersey.

A State Flag with a Sacred Symbol of the Sun

The symbol in the middle of this state flag represents the people who were native to this state.

Answer: New Mexico

The brightly colored flag of New Mexico represents the indigenous people of this state. The symbol in the middle is the Zia symbol and came from the Zia people.

Dark Blue Flag with the State’s Coat of Arms

This state flag features a coat of arms that was created in 1777.

Answer: Pennsylvania

The current Pennsylvania state flag is the same one that was approved in 1907. The state motto of “Virtue, liberty, and independence” is on the bottom of the flag.

The State Flag Known as the Beehive Flag

The House and Senate approved the Beehive flag for this state in 2023.

Answer: Utah

In 2023, Utah adopted a new state flag. The colors and symbols of the flag, including the beehive, represent community, industry, and the history of the state.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock.com.