The flag of Tennessee is the official flag of the U.S. state of Tennessee. The flag displays an emblem on a field of red, with a strip of blue bordered by white on the fly. The emblem in the middle consists of three white stars on a blue circle also with a white border. The central emblem portion of the flag has been adopted as the state's unofficial logo, and appears in the logos of some Tennessee-based companies and sports teams. Examples include the First Horizon Bank and the Tennessee Titans.

Statute

right|thumb|200px|The flag of Tennessee in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville ]]

The 2024 Tennessee Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, § 4-1-301 specifies that the state flag shall be of the following design, colors and proportions:

Symbolism

The stars represent the three geographically and legally distinct Grand Divisions of Tennessee (i.e. East, Middle, and West Tennessee). The blue circle around the stars represents the unity of those grand divisions. The blue bar at the edge of the flag was just a design consideration. When asked about the blue bar, Reeves stated "The final blue bar relieves the sameness of the crimson field and prevents the flag from showing too much crimson when hanging limp."

History

Pre-official flags (before 1897)

thumb|200px|Proposed flag (1861)

Prior to the adoption of any state flag, there was a proposed Civil War era flag in 1861 for when Tennessee seceded and joined the Confederacy. While it was not officially adopted, this flag did see some limited use.

In 1883, a state flag was donated by the people of Nashville to Colonel Allison. Its design is not known.

In June of 1890, a state flag was produced in Cincinnati, it was later displayed at a banquet with the Governor Taylor being attendance. The whole thing costing $450 (Adjusted for inflation $16,028). Its design was not described.

1897 flag

thumb|200px|Flag of Tennessee<br />(1897–1905)

In 1897, Tennessee adopted a red, white, and blue tricolor. The three bars were deliberately slanted in an effort to represent the geographically distinct regions of Tennessee. The flag included the number 16 to represent Tennessee as the 16th state in the Union, and the inscription "The Volunteer State", the state's official nickname.

Current flag (1905–present)

The current flag was designed by Colonel Le Roy Reeves, a Johnson City attorney who was then serving in the Tennessee National Guard. The Tennessee General Assembly officially adopted the flag on April 17, 1905.

In 1976, the U.S. Postal Service issued a sheet of 13 cent stamps illustrating U.S. state flags. Tennessee's was illustrated upside down.

In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, territorial, and Canadian provincial flags and ranked the Tennessee flag 14th.

Government flags

Alongside the state flag, there are other flags used by the government of Tennessee. The flag for the governor of Tennessee has been in use since 1939. It is a scarlet flag, with four stars, one in each corner, and the state military crest, a tree with three white stars, in the center. The Tennessee General Assembly has its own flag as well that was adopted in 1978.

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File:Tennessee's Centennial Flag (1896).png|Tennessee centennial flag (1896)

File:Tennessee Bicentennial 13c 1976 issue.jpg|The flag of Tennessee as depicted in the 1976 bicentennial postage stamp series.

File:Hot Air Balloon Jubilee Festival, Decatur, Alabama.png|A state flag themed hot air balloon at Jubilee Festival, Decatur, Alabama, May 2010.

File:Tennessee Flag Tornado 1998.jpg|The Tennessee state flag which flew over the Capitol during the Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998. The middle emblem was ripped out during the storm. This flag is on display at the Tennessee State Capitol.

File:Tennessee ‘In God We Trust’ variant plate 2022.jpg|A sample Tennessee vehicle plates incorporating the flag's emblem as a logo.

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See also

  • List of Tennessee state symbols
  • Seal of Tennessee

References

  • Tennessee Blue Book 2013–2014
  • LeRoy Reeves in the collection of the Archives of Appalachia in Johnson City, Tennessee