The American flag is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. With its iconic red, white and blue design, the American flag represents freedom, pride and patriotism to people all over the United States. While the standard American flag has 13 red and white stripes along with 50 white stars on a blue background, there are some variations of the flag that feature different colors and designs. One popular alternative version is the American flag with blue, green and red horizontal stripes. This distinctive flag contains the same number of stripes as the traditional flag, but the red stripes and white stripes are replaced with blue and green. The blue, green and red striped American flag has its own unique meaning and symbolism.
History and Origins
The blue, green and red striped American flag seems to have first emerged sometime in the 1960s during the civil rights movement. The exact origins are unclear, but the flag gained traction during this time as a symbol of harmony and inclusiveness. The standard red, white and blue colors of the American flag represent characteristics such as bravery, purity and justice. Meanwhile, the colors blue, green and red were likely chosen for the alternative flag to represent tranquility, nature and hardiness. By incorporating a more diverse set of colors, the blue, green and red flag aimed to be more welcoming and inclusive of all Americans regardless of background. This message aligned with civil rights activists’ push for equality and recognition of marginalized groups at the time. The distinctive three stripe flag was flown at rallies, carried in marches and displayed prominently at events during the 1960s and 70s as a progressive symbol.
Meaning and Symbolism
The blue, green and red striped American flag carries a unique and meaningful symbolism that sets it apart from the standard American flag design:
Blue – The color blue represents tranquility, understanding and prudence. The blue stripe in the flag communicates a message of peacefulness, stability and unity.
Green – The color green represents nature, growth and optimism. The green stripe incorporates environmentalism and hope for the future.
Red – The color red evokes feelings of courage, strength and valor. The red stripe ties patriotism and bravery to the alternative flag.
Harmony – Together, the equal sized horizontal blue, green and red stripes represent harmony between diverse groups and viewpoints. This reflects the flag’s origins in the civil rights era.
Inclusiveness – The incorporated of colors representing various meanings conveys inclusiveness, openness and acceptance of people across all backgrounds.
Progressivism – The flag’s symbolism of diversity and inclusivity aligns with progressive values around equality and expanding human rights. This differentiates it from the traditional American flag.
Modern Day Use
The blue, green and red striped flag continues to be used today as a symbol of progressive patriotism and inclusiveness. It is commonly flown or displayed at various events and protests associated with equality-based movements such as:
– LGBTQ+ Pride events
– Women’s rights marches
– Pro-diversity rallies
– Protests against police brutality
– Immigration reform activism
– Sustainability and environmentalism initiatives
Groups and causes focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights widely utilize the flag to represent their values and communicate core messages of unity and understanding. It has emerged today as a distinctive symbol of a more progressive form of American patriotism centered on embracing differences and expanding rights.
Legality
The blue, green and red striped American flag is completely legal to purchase, own and display in the United States. The Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment protects the rights of citizens to use this type of altered American flag for expressive purposes. There are also federal laws and rules which uphold the right to custom modify the American flag design in protest or solidarity so long as it does not violate size restrictions or other parameters. While some conservative groups have objected to the altered design, the blue, green and red stripe flag remains a constitutionally protected form of free speech and expression. Those who fly it see it as an inclusive alternative to the standard American flag.
Comparison to Standard American Flag
| Standard American Flag | Blue Green Red American Flag |
|---|---|
| 13 red and white stripes | 13 alternating stripes of blue, green and red |
| 50 white stars on blue background | 50 white stars on blue background |
| Red, white and blue colors | Blue, green and red colors |
| Represents bravery, purity, justice | Represents tranquility, nature, hardiness |
| Symbol of patriotism | Symbol of inclusivity and diversity |
While the flags share similarities like the 50 white stars and 13 stripes, the different color symbolism distinguishes their meanings. The traditional red, white and blue flag is seen as a patriotic symbol of American ideals, while the blue, green and red flag represents progressive diversity and inclusion values. Both flags are considered American with unique origins and purposes.
Conclusion
The blue, green and red striped American flag emerged around the 1960s civil rights movement as a progressive symbol of inclusiveness and diversity. The tranquil blue, natural green and hardy red stripes communicate inclusivity and acceptance across all groups. This altered flag continues to be flown today at equality-focused events and by causes seeking to promote diversity and human rights. While the standard red, white and blue American flag represents patriotism and national pride, the blue, green and red stripes convey a distinct message of harmony, openness and equity aligned with inclusive modern values. Both meaningful versions of the star-spangled banner have a place in American society.
