Flag of Alabama
The Alabama flag is a white field crossed by a crimson diagonal cross, or saltire, and nothing else. Adopted in 1895, it is one of the simplest state flags in the United States, using only two colors and no seal or text.
What the Alabama state flag looks like
The state flag of Alabama is a white rectangle with a crimson cross of St. Andrew, a saltire made of two bars that run diagonally from the corners. State law says the bars must be at least six inches wide and must extend all the way from corner to corner.
There is no seal, star, motto or lettering. That makes it very easy to recognize from a distance and easy to reproduce. Alabama is one of only a few states whose flag uses just two colors, red (officially crimson) and white.
Alabama flag meaning and symbolism
The law that created the flag does not assign a meaning to the crimson or the white, so there is no official symbolism. The cross itself is a St. Andrew's cross, a shape that appears on many flags, including the flag of Scotland and the flag of Florida.
The St. Andrew's cross is an old heraldic shape. Alabama's version is a plain crimson cross on a white field, with no stars, seal or lettering.
The state's motto, Audemus jura nostra defendere ("We dare defend our rights"), appears on the state coat of arms and seal rather than on the flag.
History of the Alabama flag
Alabama used several different banners during the 19th century before a single official state flag was adopted. Those earlier designs were replaced when the current flag became law.
The current flag was adopted by the state legislature on February 16, 1895. It was proposed by John W. A. Sanford Jr., a Montgomery lawyer and legislator. The design has not changed in more than a century.
Crimson is also the school color of the University of Alabama, but the university uses its own separate flags and the state flag is unrelated to them.
Flag rules and interesting facts
- Alabama's flag is often confused with Florida's, which also uses a red saltire on white. The Florida flag adds the state seal in the middle.
- Alabama's flag has no front or back. The design is identical on both sides.
- Montgomery is the state capital, and the flag's proposer, John W. A. Sanford Jr., was a Montgomery lawyer and legislator.
To compare it with other state banners, browse all U.S. state flags or see the flag of the United States.
Alabama flag colors
#FFFFFFRGB
255, 255, 255CMYK
0, 0, 0, 0#B10021RGB
177, 0, 33CMYK
0, 100, 81, 31Alabama flag facts
| Adopted | February 16, 1895 |
|---|---|
| Proportions | 2:3 |
| Designer | John W. A. Sanford Jr. |
| Symbols | saltire, field |
| State capital | Montgomery |
| State motto | Audemus jura nostra defendere |
| Population | 5,024,279 |
Alabama state flag FAQ
What does the Alabama flag symbolize?
The law does not give the colors or the cross an official meaning. The crimson cross of St. Andrew on white is a traditional heraldic design.
What is the cross on the Alabama flag called?
It is a saltire, also called the cross of St. Andrew: a diagonal cross whose bars run from corner to corner. Alabama's is crimson on a white field, and the law requires the bars to be at least six inches wide.
When did Alabama change its state flag?
Alabama has not changed its flag since 1895. The legislature adopted it on February 16, 1895, and it replaced earlier banners.
Who designed the Alabama flag?
The design is credited to John W. A. Sanford Jr., a Montgomery lawyer who proposed it to the state legislature in 1895.
What are the colors of the Alabama flag?
The flag uses two colors: crimson (a deep red) and white. The crimson forms the diagonal cross, and white fills the rest of the flag.
