The colors of the American flag have been a source of debate and discussion for many years. While it is commonly known that the flag consists of red, white and blue, the exact shades of these colors, particularly the blue, have been open to interpretation. Some claim the blue is a navy blue, while others insist it is a royal blue. Settling this question requires an investigation into the history of the flag, examination of official government specifications, and analysis of the colors themselves.
History of the American Flag
The first American flag was created in 1777 during the Revolutionary War. This flag, known as the Betsy Ross flag, had 13 alternating red and white stripes representing the original 13 colonies. In the upper left corner was a blue canton containing 13 white stars in a circle symbolizing unity. While we don’t know the exact shades used on this early flag, it set the precedent for the basic red, white and blue design.
Over the next 100 years, the flag underwent changes as more states joined the union. In 1794, Congress enacted legislation requiring 15 stripes and 15 stars. Then in 1818, with 20 states, Congress decided to revert back to 13 stripes to honor the original colonies, and have only a star for each state. So while the number of stripes stayed constant, the blue canton gradually filled with more stars as more states came onboard.
During this first century, dyes and fabrics were mostly homemade, so shades varied. As the country became more industrialized, more standardization emerged.
Official Flag Specifications
It wasn’t until the 20th century that official specifications of the flag colors were codified by the government. In 1912, President Taft established an executive order to standardize the proportions and sizes of the flag. This order did not, however, define the colors.
The colors were finally precisely defined in 1934 when the Federal Government enacted the Flag Code. This specified the colors as follows:
| Color | Pantone Matching System Number |
|---|---|
| White | Safe |
| Red | 193 C |
| Blue | 282 C |
Pantone 282 C is considered a royal blue shade. This seems to settle the matter officially as royal blue. However, interpretations still persisted that the blue should be a deeper navy blue.
In 1954, President Eisenhower ordered a change to the official specification to a navy blue tone, Pantone 282 U. This darker blue was viewed as more authentic to the original flag hues. However, this revised navy blue color was short-lived. Just one year later in 1955, President Eisenhower reversed his order and reverted the blue back to the original royal blue 282 C.
So in the 1954-1955 timeframe, the flag colors dipped to an officially sanctioned navy blue for exactly one year. But for the vast majority of the flag’s history, and currently today, the official standard is again royal blue Pantone 282 C.
Color Comparisons
Now let’s visually examine these two blue shades. Below are color swatches comparing Pantone 282 C (royal blue) and Pantone 282 U (navy blue):
| Pantone 282 C (Royal Blue) | Pantone 282 U (Navy Blue) |
|---|---|
Some key differences between these two shades:
- Royal blue is brighter, with more red undertones.
- Navy blue is much darker and muted.
- Royal blue has a purple tint, while navy leans slightly green.
Due to its brighter, more vibrant nature, royal blue offers greater visibility than the darker navy blue, especially from a distance. This high visibility is crucial for an important national symbol that must be easy to spot when waving in the sky.
Common Modern Interpretations
Despite the official specifications, we still find variations in how the flag’s colors are interpreted today:
- Many crayons and colored pencils labeled “navy blue” in kids’ kits are actually closer to royal blue.
- Cheap plastic or nylon flags tend to be a deeper navy blue since darker dyes are cheaper.
- High quality heavier cotton and wool flags are more likely to use dyed fabric closer to royal blue.
- Some interpretations on apparel and fashion accessories lean navy blue because it is considered more stylish.
So if buying a flag, carefully check if the blues match the royal Pantone 282 C standard. Don’t assume darker shades are correct.
Conclusion
While the American flag was created in 1777, the official color specifications were not defined until 1934. At that time, the blue was set as a royal blue Pantone 282 C. In 1954 this shifted to a darker navy blue 282 U, but only briefly for one year before reverting to the original royal blue in 1955.
The royal blue Pantone 282 C has persisted as the official standard for the vast majority of the flag’s history. While the navy tone enjoys some popular support, when properly manufactured to government specifications, the American flag is royal blue. So next time you see Old Glory waving proudly, you can note that vibrant royal blue field of stars. That bright blue shade is an integral part of this great symbol of American freedom.