The flag is a symbol of our great nation. It is a symbol that represents not only who we are but also what we stand for and what we believe. Our flag is often taken for granted and its powerful symbolism ignored. There is great symbolism in the flag that we seem to have forgotten. We sometimes need a reminder that we have a star spangled banner for a reason.
The thirteen stripes
The flag consists of thirteen stripes, 7 red stripes that alternate with 6 white stripes. We started with only thirteen colonies that stood against the oppression of the British Empire. These colonies became the thirteen original states. It was from these humble beginnings that the United States grew to be one of the greatest nations in the entire world. These stripes remind us of our proud beginnings and of our resolve to be free.
The field of blue
The field of blue represents the freedom to expand and explore the world and beyond. We need to remember that when the flag was created; there was much of the country yet to be explored. This same spirit applies to the fields of medicine, exploration and the frontiers of space. We are a people that love to discover, to enlighten, and to create.
The fifty stars
The flag originally only had thirteen stars with thirteen stripes. When additional states were added to the nation a new star was added to the flag. The stars represent the hope and prosperity that exists in the fifty states that make up our nation. Now our United States are represented by fifty stars, one per state. The stars represent the hope that our nation shows to the entire world.
The colors of the flag stand for far more than most of us realize. The red, white and blue stand for more than just national colors or colors available at the time.
Red stands for hardiness and valor. Hardiness is being able to endure the hardships of life and life in colonial America could be extremely difficult. Early Americans were known for being tough and had great stamina because of the rigors of colonial life. Red also stands for the courage that was seen in early America. We often forget that the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were basically signing their own death certificate. The British made every attempt to hunt down those who signed the declaration during the war and many of those men paid a high price for their courage. We see courage alive and well today. Many people criticize the war in Iraq and even speak poorly of the military. Each time that we see our troops on television or at home on leave, we are seeing courage in action. These brave men and women are a reminder that the spirit of valor is alive and well today in these United States of America.
White stands for purity and innocence. These qualities seem to be in rare quantity in our society today but in Colonial America, the people stood for their faith in God and their belief in this new nation. America was fresh and new when they designed the flag. There was an innocence that seemed to permeate the nation because it was a new country. Purity was part of the design because the land was new and unspoiled.
Blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. America has always been alert and aware of the issues of freedom that endanger our world. We care about the plight of other people and other nations being oppressed. We desire to see the freedom that we enjoy granted to everyone in the world. America has stood to defend and protect the ideals and principles of freedom.
The spirit that began this great nation lives on, every time we see our flag blowing in the breeze.
