🇺🇸 Colors of the American Flag & Their Meaning

1. Red

   • Symbolizes hardiness and valor. TIME+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2

   • Often associated with the sacrifice and courage required to defend freedom. Legacy Flags USA

2. White

   • Represents purity and innocence. Encyclopedia Britannica+2TIME+2

   • Signifies honesty, integrity, and high ideals. Legacy Flags USA

3. Blue

   • Stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Encyclopedia Britannica

   • Also reflects loyalty, devotion, and the “constancy” of justice. WorldAtlas

🎨 Shades / Exact Colors

• The U.S. flag uses specific shades, commonly called:

  • Old Glory Red (Pantone ~ 193C) Wikipedia

  • Old Glory Blue (Pantone ~ 281C) Wikipedia

  • White (plain white) Wikipedia

• These are defined in government specifications. Wikipedia

📜 Origin of the Color Meanings

• Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, offered the symbolic meanings when describing the Great Seal of the United States. Encyclopedia Britannica+1

• Interestingly, the red-white-blue color scheme was also inspired by the British Union Jack (reflecting colonial heritage). TIME+1