Texas Flags

Texas Flags - Meaning
Did you know that the study of flags is called Vexillology and comes from the Latin word vexillum ("flag") and the Greek suffix -logy ("study")? The word "flag" is derived from the old Saxon word "fflaken" which means to fly or to float in the air. The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield. Shields were painted with emblems or symbols to identify friend or enemy. Warriors needed to know where their leaders were hence the custom of carrying a pole was adopted and subsequently the idea of flags began! Flags and banners were even mentioned in the bible, the following quote is from the bible book entitled Song of Solomons, (6:10):  "Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners."

Texas Flags - Description
Texas flags are described as:

• One blue vertical stripe having a width equal to one-third the length of the flag

• Two equal horizontal stripes. The upper stripe being white while the lower stripe is red

• The length of each stripe is equal to two-thirds the length of the flag

• In the centre of the blue vertical stripe there is a single white five-pointed star. The star is positioned so that one point faces upwards

• The single or 'lone' star  "represents ALL of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State, and Country"
   

Texas Flags- Color Symbolism
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions there is a vast amount of symbolism associated with the color of a nations flag. The full development of heraldry in about 1200AD also brought sophisticated design of flags, some of which includes a Coat of Arms. The colors of the Texas flag symbolise the following:

• Red - Bravery

• Blue - Loyalty

• White - Purity

Texas Flags- History
Texas is unique in that it is the only state in the US to fly the flags of six different nations: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States. The official state flag of Texas, called the Lone Star Flag, was adopted in 1845 when Texas became the 28th state of the United States but the 'six national flags of Texas' appear on buildings all over the state as well as on the reverse of the Texas state seal

• Spain - Spain, ruled most of Texas from 1519 to 1685 and from 1690 to 1821. Two versions of the Spanish flag were used during this period. Both designs feature the emblem of the "castle and lion" from the Crown of Castile

• France - The second of the six national flags of Texas is the royal banner of France. France ruled from 1685 to 1690. The French nobleman Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle founded a colony on the Texas Gulf Coast called Fort Saint Louis in 1684. The colony was however unsuccessful and when La Salle was murdered the fort was abandoned

• Mexico - The third of the six national flags is the Mexican flag. In 1821 Spain officially recogised Mexico's independence

• Republic of Texas - The fourth of the six national flags is that of the the Republic of Texas. The Republic of Texas had two national flags during its history, the first called the "Burnet Flag" and the second and most familiar being the "Lone Star Flag". The lone star flag became the state flag when Texas officially joined the United States as a U.S. state in 1845

• United States of America - The fifth of the six national flags is that of the US, which Texas became the 28th state in 1845

• Confederate States of America - The sixth of the national flags is that of the Confederate States of America (CSA), also known as the Confederacy

Timeline of Six Flags of Texas Spanish Texas (1519-1685 and 1690–1821) French Texas (1684–1689) Mexican Texas (1821–1836) Republic of Texas (1836–1845) Confederate (1861-1845) United States of America (1845-1861 and 1865-present day)   Dream Definition - Texas Flags Did you know that if you see your national flag in your dream it is a symbol of peace and/or prosperity. If you see a flag of a foreign nation it indicates a breach of trust between friends!

Texas Flags - Information

• The pledge of allegiance to  the state flags of Texas is: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible"

• Texas Capital City: Austin

• State Nickname: The Lone Star State

• State Motto: Friendship

• Largest City: Houston

• State Bird: Mockingbird

• State Butterfly: Monarch Butterfly

• State Flower: Bluebonnet

• State Song: "Texas, Our Texas"

• State Tree: Pecan

• State Fruit: Red Grapefruit

• State Vegetable: Sweet Onion

• Size: 268,820 sq miles (the second largest state in the US)

• Highest Point: Guadalupe Peak (8,749 feet above sea level)

• Largest river: Rio Grande

• 'Six Flags Over Texas' is the slogan used to describe the six nations (Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States) that have had sovereignty over some or all of the current territory of state of Texas. The slogan can be found on buildings all over Texas and a picture of the six flags appears on the reverse of the Seal of Texas

• The colors of the texas flag symbolises bravery (red), purity (white) and loyalty (blue).

• The large white star was first used on the Texas flag in the 1830's during the battles between Texas and Mexico
   

Texas Flags - Definition
A flag is defined as a symbol or emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design. Flags are also often used as a signalling device and method of communication. Government buildings are often decorated with flags. A cloth usually bearing a device or devices and used to indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or ask information; commonly attached to a staff to be waved by the wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors; as, the national flag; a military or a naval flag.

Texas Flags - Facts The Texas flag is known as the Lone Star Flag On the 28th December 1838 it was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas by Senator William Wharton The Texas flag was was adopted as the national flag of the republic of Texas on 25th January 1839 The red and blue used in Texas flags are the same shades used in the United States flag Texas became the 28th state of the United States on the 29th December 1845

• Since 1519 when the region was discovered by the explorer Cortez, the flags of six nations have flown over the state of Texas. These six flags are still flown in the state of Texas and even appear on the reverse of the Texas state seal

• The shape and flag ratio of Texas Flags is 2:3 (length 1½ times the height)

• To dip the flag is the process of lowering and quickly restore it to its place is often done as a mark of respect

• The idea of flying a flag came from the requirements of ancient warfare in the battlefield

• When presenting a nations flag, the United Nations uses alphabetical order, this includes Texas Flags. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag

• Texas Flags should never be allowed to drag along the ground

• Tattered or faded Texas Flags should be removed and replaced with new Texas Flags

• Texas Flags should always be flown the correct way up, it is vital that due care and consideration is taken to ensure this

• All Flag pictures show flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right

• The Study of the Flags is known as Vexillology

• The upper left quarter of the flag is known as the Canton

• People with an interest in flags are called Vexillologists

• The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed

   

Displaying the Texas Flags- Did you know?

• The act or function of raising the Texas Flags, as on a rope is referred to as hoisting

• To denote grief and mourning, the Texas Flags is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole , this is called flying the flag at Half Staff or Half Mast and is carried out by firstly raising the Texas Flags to the top, then lowering the Texas Flags halfway

• To show distress the Texas Flags is flown upside-down

• Always hoist Texas Flags briskly and lower the Texas Flags ceremoniously

• No disrespect should be shown to the Texas flag

• Texas Flags should never be displayed, used, fastened or kept in such a way as to allow the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way

• Texas Flags should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature

• To strike, or lower the flags of Texas is the process of hauling them down. It is a token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of surrender

• To hang out a white flag is a method of asking for a truce or quarter, or, in some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a white flag

Texas Flags