Flag of Florida: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The third flag of Florida was adopted in 1900. It consists of a red saltire with an image of the state seal superimposed on the center. The current flag was approved by popular referendum in 1900.

Chapter 15.012 of the Florida Statutes states that:

"The State Flag shall conform with standard commercial sizes and be of the following portions and descriptions: The seal of the state, in diameter one-half the hoist, shall occupy the center of a white ground. Red bars, in width one-fifth the hoist, shall extend from each corner towards the center, to the outer rim of the seal."

From 1868 to 1900, the flag of Florida was identical to the current flag with the exception of the red saltire. Governor Francis P. Fleming, a segregationist and Confederate veteran, was the chief advocate of the red saltire. Some claim the cross is intended to recall the Southern Cross of the Confederate flag. Fleming publicly stated that the flag should have the saltaire added so it did not appear to be a flag of truce. In support of this, historically, the first Spanish flag over Florida was white, with a "broken" red cross saltire.

The flag of Alabama is a plain red saltire without a superimposed seal, as is the flag of Saint Patrick which is incorporated into the Union Flag of the United Kingdom to represent the union of Great Britain with Ireland.