Maine State Flag

The Maine state flag is the official flag of Maine. A blue field covers the entire background. The state coat of arms sits in the center showing a pine tree, a moose, a farmer, and a sailor.

The North Star appears above the shield. The word Dirigo sits on a banner beneath the star. This Latin motto means I lead or I direct. State buildings, schools, and public venues across Maine display this flag.

The flag represents Maine's natural resources and geographic position through the coat of arms. The imagery emphasizes forestry, maritime trade, and agriculture as foundations of Maine's economy and identity, especially through the Pine Tree State nickname.

The North Star symbolizes Maine's location as the northernmost state in New England. The motto Dirigo reinforces this geographic significance. Maine leads the way as the first state to see sunrise in the continental United States.

The pine tree represents Maine's vast forests. The moose shows native wildlife. The farmer and sailor represent land-based and maritime labor that built Maine's economy, including habitat linked to the Maine state tree.

Maine introduced its current state flag in 1909. The legislature approved a design featuring the state coat of arms on blue. The coat of arms itself dated to 1820 when Maine separated from Massachusetts and became a state.

Before 1909, Maine used a different flag design. From 1901 to 1909, the state flew a buff-colored flag with a pine tree and blue star. That earlier design proved unpopular and difficult to manufacture consistently.

No single designer is credited with the 1909 flag. The design emerged from existing state symbols. The coat of arms had appeared on state documents and seals for decades before becoming part of the flag.

The flag uses blue, green, brown, tan, yellow, and white. Blue forms the field. Green appears in the pine tree. Brown and tan show in the moose and human figures. Yellow highlights the North Star and banner, with palette context in U.S. state colors.