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| Other names | Arkansas flag, Diamond flag |
|---|---|
| Use | Civil andstate flag    |
| Proportion | 2∶3 |
| Adopted | February 26, 1913; 112 years ago (1913-02-26) (modifications in 1923, 1924, and 2011) |
| Design | A rectangularfield of red, on which is placed a large white diamond,bordered by a wide band of blue. Across the diamond is the word 'Arkansas' in blue and four blue stars, one above, three below the word. On the blue band are placed 25 stars. |
| Designed by | Willie K. Hocker |
Thestate flag of the U.S. state ofArkansas, also known as theArkansas flag, is a red bannercharged with a large blue-bordered whitelozenge (diamond). Twenty-ninefive-pointed stars appear on the flag: twenty-five small white stars within the blue border, and four larger blue stars in the white diamond. The state's name appears in blue within the white lozenge, with one star above and three stars below. The star above and the two outer stars below point upwards; the inner star below points downwards. The flag was designed byWillie K. Hocker ofWabbaseka, a member of thePine Bluff Chapter of the Arkansas Society of theDaughters of the American Revolution.
In the 2024 Arkansas Code (Title 1, Chapter 4, § 1-4-101), the state flag is defined as follows:
"a rectangle of red on which is placed a large white diamond, bordered by a wide band of blue on which are twenty-five (25) white stars. Across the diamond shall be the word 'ARKANSAS' and four (4) blue stars, with one (1) star above and three (3) stars below the word 'ARKANSAS.' The star above the word 'ARKANSAS' shall be below the upper corner of the diamond. The three (3) stars below the word 'ARKANSAS' shall be placed so that one (1) star shall be above the lower corner of the diamond and two (2) stars shall be placed symmetrically, parallel above and to the right and left of the star in the lower corner of the diamond."
The 2024 Arkansas Code (Title 1, Chapter 4, § 1-4-101), says that the colors used for the flag shall be:
"the same as those used on the United States flag, specifically to include Old Glory Red or its equivalent, and Old Glory Blue or its equivalent."
The flag's elements have a complex symbolism. According to the 1987 state law defining the flag,[1] the diamond represents Arkansas' status as "the onlydiamond-bearing state in theUnion". (Crater of Diamonds State Park was the only diamond mine inNorth America at the time, beforemore recent discoveries inColorado andMontana. However, the state park is still the only place where the public can search for, and keep, diamonds.)
The 25 white stars around the border of the diamond represents Arkansas' position as the 25th state admitted to the Union.
The star above "ARKANSAS" represents theConfederacy, to which Arkansas was admitted on May 18, 1861.[2]
The three stars below "ARKANSAS" have three separate meanings:[2]
The statute states that the two outer, upward-pointing stars of the three are considered "twin stars" representing the "twin states" of Arkansas andMichigan, which it claims were admitted together on June 15, 1836. However, that part of the statute contains two inaccuracies:
In 2001, a survey conducted by theNorth American Vexillological Association (NAVA) placed the Arkansas state flag 45th in design quality out of the 72 Canadian provincial, U.S. state, and U.S. territory flags ranked.[4]
In 1871, a group of women fromLittle Rock organized a local fair. During the event they displayed their state flag. It was apennant with the state coat of arms in the middle done up inoil paint.[5]
A state flag was flown over the Arkansas state building during 1876Centennial Exposition.[6] Its design is unknown.
Another mention of a state flag was in 1890. In Little Rock, a localTemperance chapter was planning a large children's parade in the city. They ordered that the kids carry 2 flags, the American flag and a "State Banner".[7] The banner's design was not described and it is unknown when it was made.
The first request for a state flag was 1908, when the American Consul-General inShanghai,China asked the Governor for a state flag to be displayed in theShanghai Volunteer Corps headquarters.[8][9]
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In 1910, members of The Arkansas Federation of Women's Club came together to make a state flag for the National Convention of the American Federation of Women's Clubs inCincinnati. According to Stan Harley, the flag was inspired by the regimental flags used during the Civil War, especially the6th Arkansas Infantry Regiment. The flag contained a thin white border that surrounded a blue field with the state seal in the center. It was made by Mrs. John Ike Moore. After the Convention was over, they went to theOld State House and tried to present it but were unsuccessful.[10]
In 1912, the Pine Bluff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution decided to present the newly commissioned battleshipUSSArkansas with an official state flag. The chapter contacted Arkansas secretary of state Earle E. Hodges requesting information on how to obtain the state's flag. Hodges then informed the chapter that no such state flag existed. With Hodge's support, the Pine Bluff Chapter began a statewide contest to design a new state flag.[11] A committee was appointed, and it asked for designs to be submitted for consideration, with 65 entries being submitted in total. Hocker's design was "a rectangular field of red, on which is placed a large white diamond, bordered by a wide band of blue. Across the diamond is the word 'ARKANSAS'," (placed there by request of the committee) "and the blue stars, one above, two below the word. On the blue band are placed 25 white stars."[3]
In 1923, the legislature added a fourth star, representing theConfederate States. This fourth star was originally placed so that there were two stars above the state name and two below; this was to include the Confederate States alongsideFrance,Spain, and theUnited States. Since this disturbed the other two meanings of the original three stars, the legislature corrected this in 1924 by placing the fourth star above "ARKANSAS" and the original three stars below it, as it is today. The 1924 design was confirmed as law in 1987 by Act 116, signed by GovernorBill Clinton.[12]
In 2011, Act 1205 (formerly House Bill 1546) was signed by GovernorMike Beebe, adding some more details to the flag. In the terms of colors, the red and blue used on the flag of Arkansas are Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue. The Act also stated that flags purchased by the secretary of state must be manufactured in the United States.[13][14]
In 2018, the original 1913 Arkansas state flag and a 1923 version both underwent an estimated $20,000 in restoration cost.[15]
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The law defining the flag also defines a text to be used in saluting the flag: "I salute the Arkansas Flag with its diamond and stars. We pledge our loyalty to thee."[16] The salute was written by author Virginia Belcher Brock.[17]
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