Flag of Massachusetts
stateThe flag of Massachusetts was adopted on March 30, 1971. White field with the state coat of arms. It uses 3 colours: white, blue and gold. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Country | Massachusetts |
| Official Country Name | State of Massachusetts |
| Continent | North America |
| Region | United States |
| ISO Country Code | US-MA |
| Internet Domain | .us |
| Calling Code | +1 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | English |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | March 30, 1971 |
| Current Version Adopted | March 30, 1971 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Blue, Gold |
| Design Type | White field with the state coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official State Flag |
| Government Authority | State Government of Massachusetts |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | 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 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the field |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the shield |
| Gold colour | Represents 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” |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1971-03-30 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Massachusetts Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Massachusetts
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 55 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | March 30, 1971 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Alaska, Antarctica, Arkansas |
| Unique Feature | White field with the state coat of arms |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Massachusetts
- 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.
- The flag of Massachusetts was officially adopted on March 30, 1971.
- The flag in its present form is 55 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with the state coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 20 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, blue and gold.
- The white on the flag stands for the field.
- The blue on the flag stands for the shield.
- The gold on the flag stands for 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”.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Alaska, Antarctica and Arkansas.
- Massachusetts joined the Union on 6 February 1788, as the 6th state.
- Basketball is the official state sport, having been invented in Springfield in 1891.
- The state is nicknamed The Bay State.
- The state bird is the black-capped chickadee.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Massachusetts
When was the flag of Massachusetts adopted?
The flag of Massachusetts was officially adopted on March 30, 1971.
What do the colours of the flag of Massachusetts mean?
White for the field, blue for the shield and gold for the star and crest.
When did Massachusetts become a state?
Massachusetts entered the Union on 6 February 1788, as the 6th state.
What is the state sport of Massachusetts?
Basketball is the official state sport, having been invented in Springfield in 1891.
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”.
What are the proportions of the flag of Massachusetts?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 20 national flags.
What are the state symbols of Massachusetts?
The state bird is the black-capped chickadee, the state flower is the mayflower and the motto is "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem".
Which flags look similar to the flag of Massachusetts?
The closest matches are Alaska, Antarctica and Arkansas, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Massachusetts?
It uses 3 colours: white, blue and gold.
Can I download the flag of Massachusetts for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of Massachusetts in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.