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The flag of Missouri is a horizontal tricolor of of red, white and blue. These represent valor, purity, vigilance, and justice. The colors also reflect the state's historic status as part of French Louisiana. In the center white stripe is the Seal of Missouri, circled by a blue band containing 24 stars, symbolizing Missouri's admission as the 24th U.S. state. The flag is described in Section 010.020 of Missouri's Revised Statutes.

Except for the Seal of Missouri in its middle, the flag is identical with the Flag of the Netherlands; this resemblance is not, however, intended to denote any special relation between Missouri and the Netherlands.

In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 US State, US Territory and Canadian province flags. The Missouri flag ranked in the bottom 25, 48th out of the 72.

Historical Flags of Missouri

Shown below are flags that have represented Missouri in some capacity or that are associated with the state's history in some way.

Proposals for a New Flag of Missouri

Shown below are designs that have been proposed for a new flag of Missouri.

Common symbolism

Gateway Arch

Missouri quarter, reverse side, 2003

Missouri state quarter

The Gateway Arch is a monument in Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis. Designed by Eero Saarinen, it is 192 m (630 ft) wide and tall (the tallest arch in the world) and was built in 1963–65, although Luther Ely Smith's original idea for the monument dates from 1933. Originally symbolizing the US's westward expansion, it has become a popular symbol of the city of St. Louis, as well as one of the state: it appears in the background on Missouri's state quarter.

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