Maine

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The flag of the state of Maine features the state coat of arms on a blue field. In the center of the shield, a moose rests under a white pine tree. A farmer and seaman represent the traditional reliance on agriculture and the sea by the state. The North Star represents the state motto: Dirigo ("I Lead"). The forest scene that appears on most examples of this flag is unofficial. The design presently used was drawn in 1919 by an artist of the American Type Foundry Company of Boston, believed to have been the book illustrator Ludwig S. Ipsen.

According to the official legal description, the flag should be 4'4" by 5'6", mounted on a 9' pole (exclusive of the brass spearhead and ferrule), have the design embroidered in silk threads, a fringe of yellow silk and should have a blue and white silk cord attached at the spearhead. No flag matching the legal description is known to exist.

Prior to the First World War, unofficial Maine flags often were made with the Coat of Arms on a buff disc placed in the center of the blue field.

A variant of the flag was authorized for use by the militia; same design with the addition of two red scrolls, one above and one below the arms. The top to have the unit name on it (e.g. "First Regiment Infantry") and the bottom to be inscribed "National Guard State of Maine". This was changed in 1954 by the deletion of the top scroll and a change in the inscription of the bottom scroll to "Maine National Guard".

Maine is one of only three states with a separate ensign, which is rarely seen (the other two states are Massachusetts and Texas, although the Texan flag has not been used since 1845). It features symbols from the current flag and the older one, with a white field and green pine tree. The green pine tree has a fouled anchor, and the words "MAINE" and "DIRIGO" around it.

Historical Flags of Maine[]

Maine's militia used a State Color from 1822 to at least the Civil War. One of these was captured by Confederate forces at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. It was returned to Maine in 1905 but is unaccounted for today. The design was by John R. Penniman of Boston, a famous flag painter of the day. These were perhaps the earliest printed silk flags, using a copper plate. It is known that flags were made in 1822, 1827 and about 1841, and likely other times. The plate was possibly used to print flags after the War but documentation is lacking. The plate was still in existence in 1879 but its disposition and whereabouts today are unknown.

On April 11, 1884, the New York Times reported a flag for Maine's governor was presented. It depicted the Maine Coat of Arms surrounded by a circle of [probably 38] white stars on a blue field with a heavy gold fringe and heavy golden tassels. On May 1, 1967, Governor Ken Curtis reported he used a Maine State Flag with fringe as his official flag.

The first official state flag, adopted in 1901, consisted of a white pine tree in green and brown, Maine's official tree and also the symbol of New England, in the center, with a blue "North Star", all on a buff-colored background. This flag was authorized for use by the militia in 1901.

Maine

Historical Flags of Maine[]

Proposals for a New Flag of Maine[]

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