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Massachusettes - Bunker Hill Flag.gif|The Bunker Hill Flag. Why this is not Massachusetts' state flag is a mystery. - Posted by Ken Morton
 
Massachusettes - Bunker Hill Flag.gif|The Bunker Hill Flag. Why this is not Massachusetts' state flag is a mystery. - Posted by Ken Morton
 
sammy castlina.png|a mashup of the two flags
 
sammy castlina.png|a mashup of the two flags
Massa.png|First redesign by [[User:Moraisdethiago|Moraisdethiago]]. Based on RottenAli Proposal, July 2018. ([[User:Moraisdethiago/Flag Proposals/American States#Massachusetts|details]])
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Massa.png|First redesign by [[User:SimplisticFlags|SimplisticFlags]]. Based on RottenAli Proposal, July 2018. ([[User:SimplisticFlags/Flag Proposals/American States#Massachusetts|details]])
Massachusetts Redesign.png|Second redesign by [[User:Moraisdethiago|Moraisdethiago]]. January 2019. ([[User:Moraisdethiago/Flag Proposals/American States#Massachusetts|details]])
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Massachusetts Redesign.png|Second redesign by [[User:SimplisticFlags|SimplisticFlags]]. January 2019. ([[User:SimplisticFlags/Flag Proposals/American States#Massachusetts|details]])
Massa shield3.png|Modification on the reverse of the 1908-1971 state flag by [[User:Moraisdethiago|Moraisdethiago]]. March 2019. ([[User:Moraisdethiago/Flag Proposals/American States#Massachusetts|details]])
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Massa shield3.png|Modification on the reverse of the 1908-1971 state flag by [[User:SimplisticFlags|SimplisticFlags]]. March 2019. ([[User:SimplisticFlags/Flag Proposals/American States#Massachusetts|details]])
 
massachusetts flag idea.png|flag proposal by [[user:geekgamergal1729]] april 2019
 
massachusetts flag idea.png|flag proposal by [[user:geekgamergal1729]] april 2019
 
MA_PNG.png|My version of a design by Hans. Colors and symbolism from state seal and coat of arms dating from 1780. Down-facing arrow represents peace. Blue on the right side of the flag is for Massachusetts Bay to the east. Posted by Preston Knapp [https://vexillology.fandom.com/wiki/User:Preston_Knapp]
 
MA_PNG.png|My version of a design by Hans. Colors and symbolism from state seal and coat of arms dating from 1780. Down-facing arrow represents peace. Blue on the right side of the flag is for Massachusetts Bay to the east. Posted by Preston Knapp [https://vexillology.fandom.com/wiki/User:Preston_Knapp]
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Massachusetts New Flag 2.png|MA Flag Proposal "apollohawridge 2"
 
Massachusetts New Flag 2.png|MA Flag Proposal "apollohawridge 2"
 
Massachusetts New Flag 3.png|MA Flag Proposal "apollohawkridge 3"
 
Massachusetts New Flag 3.png|MA Flag Proposal "apollohawkridge 3"
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Proposal Flag of Massachusetts star tree 1.svg|Proposal "star tree 1" for a flag for the state of Massachusetts, combining the colors and star from the state shield with the tree from the naval ensign. By [[User:Qaz_Janssen|Qaz]] Dec 2019 ([[User:Qaz Janssen/Proposals/Subnational/US-NEA#Massachusetts|details]])
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Proposal Flag of Massachusetts star tree 2.svg|Proposal "star tree 2" for a flag for the state of Massachusetts, combining the colors and star from the state shield with the tree from the naval ensign. By [[User:Qaz_Janssen|Qaz]] Dec 2019 ([[User:Qaz Janssen/Proposals/Subnational/US-NEA#Massachusetts|details]])
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Proposal Flag of Massachusetts star tree 3.svg|Proposal "star tree 3" for a flag for the state of Massachusetts, combining the colors and star from the state shield with the tree from the naval ensign. By [[User:Qaz_Janssen|Qaz]] Dec 2019 ([[User:Qaz Janssen/Proposals/Subnational/US-NEA#Massachusetts|details]])
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Massachusettes.png|Part of series of designs for state flags, all in blue and white. (Posted by Ken Morton)
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Mass1a.png|Cranberry, blue, and green are state colors; tree from naval ensign and New England flag; shield and white background from current flag; horizontal stripes represent MA's general shape; blue can be seen to represent the Atlantic Ocean and the state's many water bodies.
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MA R9 resultsb.png|Results sheet from the January 2020 contest. 414 designs studied and the winner was the variant flag of New England.
 
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[[Category:Massachusetts]]
 
[[Category:Massachusetts]]

Revision as of 15:02, 1 February 2020

The flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts displays, on both sides, the state coat of arms centered on a white field. The shield depicts an Algonquian Native American with bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying Massachusetts' admission as the sixth U.S. state. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem ("By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty"). Above the shield is the state military crest: the bent arm holding a broadsword aloft. The sword has its blade up, to remind that it was through the American Revolution that liberty was won.

The state flag was officially adopted in 1901, but had been used unofficially since the American Revolution of the ensign of the Massachusetts State Navy. In 1971 the earlier pine tree was replaced by the current design.

Naval ensign

Massachusetts Maritime and Naval Flag

Maritime and naval ensign of Massachusetts, adopted 21 March 1971

In April 1776, the Massachusetts Navy adopted the Pine Tree Flag as its naval ensign, consisting of a white field charged with a green pine tree and the motto "An Appeal to Heaven." In 1971 the motto was removed, and the flag was designated "the naval and maritime flag of the Commonwealth". Massachusetts is one of only three states with its own maritime ensign (the other two are Maine and Texas).

Proposals for a New Flag of Massachusetts