All about the Flag of Texas State

Each of the 50 United States have their own state flag which is often flown in unison with (and just below) the American flag.

Let’s find out more about the flag of the state of Texas.

Texas State Flag History

According to the Texas House of Representatives,

The official flag of Texas was adopted in session by the Third Congress of the Republic of Texas in Houston, January 25, 1839, on motion of William H. Wharton, Oliver Jones and others. It specified that the flag should consist of “a blue perpendicular stripe of the width of one-third of the whole length of the flag and a white star of five points in the center thereof and two horizontal stripes of equal length and breadth, the upper stripe of white, the lower of red, of the length of two thirds of the length of the whole flag.” (source)

Prior to that declaration, the flag of Texas went through a number of iterations. However, it has remained the same since the 1839 declaration.

The state’s current flag is commonly referred to as the Lone Star Flag.

Interestingly, no one knows for sure who designed the current Texas state flag and it is a matter of frequent debate. However, many credit Charles Bellinger Stewart with the design.

You can read more about this interesting discussion, including some previous designs and ideas for the state flag, in this article.

Symbolism of the Flag of Texas State

The Texas Flag Code assigns the following symbolism to the colors of the Texas flag:

• blue stands for loyalty,
• white for purity, and
• red for bravery.

The code also states that the single (lone) star “represents ALL of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State, and Country.”

According to Wikipedia:

The idea of the single red stripe and single white stripe actually dates back to the short-lived Republic of Fredonia, a small state near modern Nacogdoches which seceded from Mexico in 1826 before being forcibly re-integrated. The new state was formed through an alliance between local Anglo settlers and Native American tribes and the Fredonian flag used a white and red stripe to symbolize the two ethnic/racial groups from which the state was formed.[14] Though this rebellion ultimately failed it served as an inspiration to the later Texas Revolution.

The idea of the “lone star” is, in fact, an older symbol predating the flag which was used to symbolize Texans’ solidarity in declaring independence from Mexico.[15] A similar lone star was on the “Burnet Flag”, which resembled the flag of the short-lived Republic of West Florida.[16] The “Lone Star” is still seen today as a symbol of Texas’ independent spirit, and gave rise to the state’s official nickname “The Lone Star State”.

Texas Pledge of Allegiance to the State Flag

The Texas pledge of allegiance was originally instituted by the Texas Legislature in 1933.

It says:

Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.

According to a decree in 2001, which was amended in 2017, Texans recite the pledge to the state flag by:

…holding your head cover with your right hand and placing that hand over your heart; if in uniform, however, render a military salute.

How to Properly Display the Texas State Flag

Wikipedia references the following guidance to insure that the flag of Texas is properly displayed:

The flag is required by law to be displayed on or near the main administration building of each state institution during each state or national holiday, and on any special occasion of historical significance,[5] permanently above both doors of the Texas State Capitol, alone at the north door, and under the U.S. flag at the south door, with the exception being if the flags are at half mast or if the POW/MIA flag is being flown with the U.S. flag; in which event the Texas flag shall only fly at the North Door.[20]

State law also requires that the state flag be flown at or near any International Port of Entry.[21] When displayed vertically, the blue stripe should be at top and, from the perspective of an observer, the white stripe should be to the left of the red stripe.[22]

When you’re looking for a Texas flag for sale, look no further than Rushmore Rose USA!