Massachusetts State Flag

U.S. state

Massachusetts State Flag uses white field with the state coat of arms. Ratio 3:5 and current adoption March 30, 1971.

Hoist Ratio 3:5 Fly

Flag Reference

Flag	Massachusetts State Flag
Entity Type	U.S. state
Official Name	State of Massachusetts
Identifier	US-MA
Region	United States

Flag Specifications

Current Adoption	March 30, 1971
Proportion	3:5
Shape	Rectangle
Colours	White, Blue, Gold
Construction	White field with the state coat of arms

Documented Colour Values

Colour	HEX	RGB	CMYK
White	#FFFFFF	255, 255, 255	0, 0, 0, 0
Blue	#002868	0, 40, 104	100, 62, 0, 59
Gold	#FFD100	255, 209, 0	0, 18, 100, 0

Design and Symbolism

White	the field.
Blue	the shield.
Gold	the star and crest.
Algonquian figure	A Native American holding a bow and a downward arrow, signifying peace.
Arm with broadsword	The motto “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”.

Proportions

Ratio	3:5
Hoist	3 units
Fly	5 units

About the Massachusetts State Flag

White field with the state coat of arms The recorded proportion is 3:5. Within this library it is grouped with plain field with a central emblem designs.

Colours and construction

The reference palette stored for Massachusetts is White (#FFFFFF), Blue (#002868) and Gold (#FFD100). The colour table above is intended for digital reference; where an issuing authority publishes a different colour standard, that specification takes precedence.

Symbols and recorded meaning

Algonquian figure: A Native American holding a bow and a downward arrow, signifying peace; Arm with broadsword: The motto “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”.

History and adoption record

The adoption field for the present record is March 30, 1971.

Entity status

Massachusetts is classified here as u.s. state. That label describes the entity represented by the flag and prevents a territory, state or constituent area from being presented as a sovereign country.

Additional flag context

The flag was simplified in 1971, when a design on the reverse showing a pine tree was removed and the obverse was placed on both sides.

A state commission established in 2021 has been reviewing the seal and flag, whose depiction of a colonist's sword above a Native American figure has long been contested.

How to identify this flag

For quick identification, look for White field with the state coat of arms, a 3:5 proportion and the visible algonquian figure. Use the comparison and design-family links on this page when another flag has a similar palette or layout.

Verification sources

Flags of the World — U.S. state flag reference — Specialist vexillological reference
USA.gov — state government directory — Government directory

Other plain field with a central emblem flags

See all

Facts about the Flag of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is recorded as white field with the state coat of arms.
The reference proportion for the flag of Massachusetts is 3:5.
The stored palette for Massachusetts contains White, Blue and Gold.
The adoption field for this u.s. state flag record is March 30, 1971.
Its construction is grouped with the plain field with a central emblem design family in this library.
Algonquian figure: A Native American holding a bow and a downward arrow, signifying peace.
Arm with broadsword: The motto “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”.
The flag was simplified in 1971, when a design on the reverse showing a pine tree was removed and the obverse was placed on both sides.
A state commission established in 2021 has been reviewing the seal and flag, whose depiction of a colonist's sword above a Native American figure has long been contested.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Massachusetts

What does the flag of Massachusetts look like?

White field with the state coat of arms, with a recorded proportion of 3:5.

What proportion is recorded for the flag of Massachusetts?

The reference proportion stored for this flag is 3:5.

Which colours are recorded for the flag of Massachusetts?

The reference palette lists White #FFFFFF, Blue #002868 and Gold #FFD100.

What do the symbols on the flag of Massachusetts represent?

Algonquian figure — A Native American holding a bow and a downward arrow, signifying peace. Arm with broadsword — The motto “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”.

When was the present flag record for Massachusetts adopted?

The adoption field in this record is March 30, 1971.

Which design family does the flag of Massachusetts belong to?

WorldFlags.online groups it with plain field with a central emblem designs for visual browsing; that classification describes construction, not necessarily historical ancestry.

Where can I verify information about the flag of Massachusetts?

The verification-source section on this page links to an official, governmental or specialist reference used to check the underlying record. Source wording is not copied into the article.