Changes: Utah

Revision as of 11:17, 26 January 2020

This page uses Creative Commons licensed content from Wikipedia. (view authors)

The flag of the State of Utah was adopted in February 2011 and consists of the seal of Utah encircled in a golden circle on a background of dark navy blue. It replaced a previous flag that had been in use since 1913.

A bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, symbolizes protection in peace and war. The sego lily, the state flower of Utah, represents peace. The state motto "Industry" and the beehive represent progress and hard work. The U.S. flags show Utah's support and commitment to the United States. The state name "Utah" appears below the beehive. The date 1847 represents the year the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, while 1896 represents the year that Utah was admitted as the 45th state to the Union.

In 2011, the color of the shield in the seal was changed from blue to white, and the year 1847 was moved onto the shield.

Proposals for a New Flag of Utah

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

Most common symbolism

Beehive and honey bees

The beehive has been, at least since Roman times, a very meaningful symbol, being used in heraldry since Middle Ages. According to Freemasonry, the beehive is a symbol of industry, co-operation and dedication to work. Latter-Days Saints Church adopted it with a similar symbolism.

In the language of Jaredites, a people described on Book of Mormon, the word "Deseret" means "honey bee". The Mormon community suggested the creation of the State of Deseret on an area that included the current state of Utah, but the federal government rejected the proposal and created the Territory of Utah on same area.

However, the beehive and the honey bees is still a symbol strongly related with Utah: a beehive is present in the state flag, state seal and highway marks; the beehive is the state emblem; Utah's official astronomical symbol is the "Beehive Cluster", its official insect is the honey bee, the state motto is "Industry" (a reference to the beehive's symbolism); and its unofficial nickname is "The Beehive State".

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 UT_PNG.png|Posted by Preston Knapp [https://vexillology.fandom.com/wiki/User:Preston_Knapp]
 Proposal Flag of Utah.svg|Proposal for a flag for Utah. The colors are taken from the shield, the beehive design is by Thomas Nehren. By [[User:Qaz_Janssen|Qaz]] Dec 2019 ([[User:Qaz Janssen/Proposals/Subnational/US-WOL#Utah|details]])
+State Flag 10 Beehive and bars.jpg| A proposal for a new flag for Utah.
-State Flag 10 Beehive and bars.jpg|The symbols: Beehive-- industry and cooperation. The beehive in front of a setting sun represents Utah's western location.  Beehive cells --- 1. people from the four corners of the earth. 2. Utah's four seasons. 3 Utah as one of the four corners states.   The Circle --- The connection of the people and Utah's connection to the other states. The Eight pointed star --- a Native American symbol of hope; the optimism of Utah's people. The lower yellow bar --- agriculture. the Upper yellow bar --- Utah's sunny skies. The blue bar --- Utah's skies and waters  The colors --- Yellow agriculture, sunny skies and the warmth of Utah's people. Blue --- water the giver of life and the source of Utah's recreational activities (boating, skiing, fishing, etc.) Copper --- mining and the gifts of the land.
  Utah - Blue.png|Part of series of designs for state flags, all in blue and white. (Posted by Ken Morton)
 </gallery>