Description

The American flag contains seven red stripes and six white stripes. The flag also contains a white star representing each of the states in the U.S., which is located in the blue background.

Star Meaning

The meaning of the stars is the only thing about the flag that has not changed over the years. The stars still represent the states in the United States of America. The Continental Congress, in 1977, stated that the stars be "white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

In the Beginning: the Stripes

When the flag was first sewn by Betsy Ross, there were no actual meanings associated with the stripes in the flag. It was not until 1782 that the flag's colors became significant. White stripes represented purity and innocence. The red represented valor and bravery.

Now: the Stripes

According to The American Flag Foundation in a book published in 1977, the House of Representatives wrote that "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

The Fringe

Some flags have fringe around the edges. Although it is illegal to deface the flag, Congress has determined that it is not illegal to sew fringe around the edges, as the fringe in no way defaces the body of the flag itself. Fringe was first used on the flag in 1895. The fringe is used for ceremonial flags only, and has no specific meaning.

Source:

Ben's Guide

U.S. History

Class Brain

Resource:

American Flag Foundation