North Carolina State Flag
North Carolina's flag carries two dates — the 1775 Mecklenburg Declaration and the 1776 Halifax Resolves, the first colonial vote for independence from Britain.
North Carolina State Flag
Official State Flag of North Carolina
- Adopted
- 1885
- Standardized
- 1991
- Status
- Official flag
How the North Carolina State Flag Is Designed
The North Carolina state flag is the official state flag of North Carolina. A vertical blue bar covers the left third. Two horizontal stripes fill the right side. Red sits on top. White runs along the bottom.
A white star appears in the center of the blue bar. Gold letters N and C stand on either side of the star. Two dates appear on gold scrolls. May 20th, 1775 curves above. April 12th, 1776 curves below. Schools, courthouses, and public buildings throughout North Carolina raise this flag.
What the North Carolina Flag Communicates
The flag represents North Carolina's early resistance to British authority. May 20th, 1775 commemorates the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, traditionally associated with early resistance to British rule in Mecklenburg County. The original document has not survived, and historians debate its exact nature.
April 12th, 1776 marks the Halifax Resolves. North Carolina became the first colony to officially authorize its delegates to vote for independence from Britain. This resolution paved the way for the Declaration of Independence and reinforces values in North Carolina's motto.
The white star symbolizes North Carolina's identity as a state and its role in the Union. Red represents courage and sacrifice. White stands for purity. Blue symbolizes vigilance and justice, aligning with the broader identity of the Tar Heel State.
North Carolina Flag History and Adoption
North Carolina approved its current flag design in 1885. The legislature replaced an earlier Civil War-era flag. Colonel John D. Whitford designed the 1885 flag. He kept the basic layout but changed key elements.
The first official state flag dated to 1861. William G. Browne designed it during the Civil War. That flag showed May 20th, 1861 as the date. This marked North Carolina's secession to join the Confederacy. After the war, the state wanted a design focused on earlier independence history.
The 1885 flag swapped the positions of blue and red stripes. It replaced the secession date with April 12th, 1776. The letters N and C were added flanking the star. In 1991, the legislature changed the proportions from 3:4 to 2:3. This made the flag wider and easier to manufacture, while keeping continuity with North Carolina's official colors.
Earlier Versions of the North Carolina Flag
Confederate-Era Flag
Designed by William G. Browne, featured May 20th 1861 as the secession date with different stripe arrangement.
1885 State Flag
Blue and red stripes swapped positions, letters N and C added, May 20th 1861 replaced with April 12th 1776, both dates given golden scrolls.
Current State Flag
Proportions changed from 3:4 to 2:3 ratio making the flag wider.
Key Symbols on the North Carolina Flag
White Star
A white five-pointed star appears in the center of the blue bar. The star represents North Carolina's identity as a state and its role in the Union. It symbolizes the state's place among the United States.
The star connects to North Carolina's early moves toward independence. Both dates surrounding the star mark revolutionary actions taken before the national Declaration of Independence.
Historical Dates
Two dates appear on gold scrolls. May 20th, 1775 sits above the star. This date commemorates the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, traditionally associated with early resistance to British authority in Mecklenburg County. The original document has not survived, and the event remains historically debated.
April 12th, 1776 appears below the star. The Halifax Resolves were adopted on this date. North Carolina became the first colony to instruct its delegates to vote for independence from Britain. This resolution came three months before the national Declaration of Independence.
N and C Letters
The initials N and C appear in gold on either side of the star, identifying the flag as belonging to North Carolina. These letters were added in 1885.
The letters help distinguish North Carolina's flag from other state flags. They make the flag easy to recognize.
Red and White Stripes
Two horizontal stripes fill the right side of the flag. Red occupies the top stripe. White fills the bottom stripe. These colors match the United States flag.
Red represents courage and sacrifice. White symbolizes purity and innocence. Together they connect North Carolina to the broader American identity.
Blue Vertical Bar
A vertical blue bar covers the left third of the flag. This bar holds the star, letters, and dates. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
The blue also connects to the United States flag. It demonstrates North Carolina's loyalty to the Union.
North Carolina State Flag Colors
The flag uses red, white, blue, and gold. Red and white form the horizontal stripes. Blue creates the vertical bar. Gold appears in the letters N and C and the date scrolls, and these tones can be compared in U.S. state colors.
North Carolina State Flag Facts
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