If you’ve ever driven through Florida, you may recall seeing its flag. The Sunshine State has its own official flag. It looks like the flag of Alabama but with one major difference. While the flag of Alabama consists entirely of a red X – also known as a saltire – against a white background, the flag of Florida features an added graphic in the center. To learn more about the state banner of Florida, keep reading.
#1) Features the State’s Seal
The graphic in the center of the flag of Florida is the state’s seal. Known as the Great Seal of the State of Florida, it’s used in everything from legislative bills and documents to government buildings and, of course, the Florida state flag. It features a Seminole woman carrying flowers on a shoreline.
#2) One of 3 Flags With ‘In God We Trust’
The flag of Florida is one of the three official state flags with the phrase “In God We Trust.” This phrase is part of the Great Seal of the State of Florida, so it’s found in the center of the flag. Only two other state flags feature the phrase “In God We Trust,” including Georiga and Mississippi.
#3) Originally Consisted of the State’s Seal Without a Saltire
From 1868 to the turn of the 20th century, the Florida flag consisted entirely of the state’s seal against a white background. It didn’t feature the saltire that’s used in the current design. Instead, the flag of Florida featured the state’s seal against an all-white background.
#4) Current Design Adopted in 1985
The current design was adopted in 1985. After the turn of the 20th century, Florida went through several additional flag designs. One of the designs, for instance, featured a saltire but without a standardized ratio. Another design feature an alternate version of the state’s seal. It wasn’t until 1985 when lawmakers in the Sunshine State adopted the current design. The current design, of course, features a red saltire against a white background along with the state’s seal in the center.
#5) The Saltire Was Added to Prevent the Flag From Resembling a Truce or Surrender Flag
There’s a reason why the current design features a red saltire. It was added to prevent the flag of Florida from resembling a truce or surrender flag. All-white flags are often used to symbolize a truce or surrender To distinguish the flag of Florida from truce and surrender flags, a red saltire was added to it.
