| Description |
The first impression of the flag is of a sunrise shining through an arch in Utah's red rock country while snow graces the top of distant mountains: GOLDEN EAGLE A golden eagle's silhouette defines the upper shape of Utah Red Rocks. Her wings are outstretched across the flag, her head turned toward the wind which will carry her higher. As Utah's official bird of prey, this powerful raptor is a timely symbol to have on the flag. --Meaning: The Golden Eagle is sacred to Utah's Indigenous peoples, with deep historical and cultural significance. It also means Liberty and individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. THE KLETTING BEEHIVE/SUNRISE The rising sun in an open arch of Utah Red Rocks is provided by a beehive designed by Utah's most significant architect, Richard Kletting. Kletting was an environmentalist (Kletting Peak is named for him) and was known for his many designs including Saltair and the Utah State Capitol Building. This unique beehive is featured in cut-glass windows at the Capitol--including the room where the first meeting of the Flag Taskforce took place. With its semicircular shape and undulating lines, Kletting's century-old design is at once both historical and remarkably modern looking. --Meaning: The beehive is the symbol of Community Collaboration and in common throughout the nation and the world for centuries. Its meaning of working hard together ("industry" in 19th Century parlance) is a vital value for Modern Utahns as much as it was for the pioneers. As the Salt Lake Bees posted on social media, no matter where we come from or what our diverse identities are, "we're all part of the same hive." THE UTAH STAR A star rises over the mountains. It is created with the proportions of 47 for the interior points and 96 for the outer points--representing 1847 and 1896. It is rotated 4.5 degrees clockwise--representing Utah as the 45th state. --Meaning: This star carries with it the history and struggles of Utah to become a state. It stands for how Utahns of all identities came together. Utah's star is rising, because Utahns are always rising to greater heights together. UTAH RED ROCKS AND ARCH The most striking feature of the flag is also Utah's most distinctive and defining feature, the red rocks and arches of its National and State Parks. The upper part of the red rocks is modeled (as described above) on the outline of a Golden Eagle, but also upon the outline of Double Arch in Arches National Park. The sun (made by the Kletting Beehive) rises through the arch, signaling a brighter day. --Meaning: Represents Utah's environmental wonders and bright future. UTAH MOUNTAINS AND SNOW The white stripe stands for Utah's majestic mountains and the greatest snow on earth. --Meaning: The incomparable recreation and lifestyle of Utah and Utah's skiing venues. THE FLAG'S COLORS Each of the colors was carefully chosen to bring further meaning and symbolism to the flag. UTAH ROCKS RED: An orange-red hue based on the red rock formations of Utah's national and state parks. SEGO GOLD: The color of the Kletting Beehive/Sunrise was sampled from the yellow center of a Sego Lily, Utah's state flower. HERITAGE BLUE SILK: The blue is symbolic of Utah's sky and lakes and was sampled from Utah's first flag, which was made of homespun Utah silk. WHITE: Snow. SUMMARY: A FLAG FOR A LAND OF CONTRASTS This innovative flag, although simple and distinctive, brings together diverse symbols in a way that demonstrates unity. Red Rocks are also a Golden Eagle. A Sunrise is also a Beehive (and the color of a Sego Lily's heart). The Sky is also the color of Utah's first flag. The Golden Eagle has multiple meanings and value to several cultures. A star is both an acknowledgement of past (1847 and 1896) struggles for unity, but rises in aspiration for all Utahn's future. The eagle stands for individual rights and the beehive stands for community responsibility--a tension that Utahn's balance every day. The red rocks of the desert contrast with the white-capped mountains. Like Utah, the flag is a melding of our past and our future; demonstrating diversity and a commitment to live and work together in the greatest state in the nation. FLAG DESIGN TEST Be simple: A child should be able to draw it from memory. Children will have fun tracing the back of the Golden Eagle and the jagged peaks. Use meaningful symbolism. This flag is rich in meaning with symbols that not only point to our beautiful environment, but to principles of working together and liberty. Use two or three basic colors. The flag uses three main colors with white. Avoid lettering or seals. Avoided. Be distinctive: A very unique flag that is beautiful and eye catching. EDUCATIONAL USE This flag has every bit of history that is found in the old state flag, but "hides" it in ways that are fun for children to discover and share. For example, instead of writing "1847" and "1896" on the flag, these dates are mathematically embedded in the Utah star--giving an opportunity to discuss ratios and angles along with Utah's struggle for statehood. It places Utah's newest official symbol, The Golden Eagle, in the center--which can lead to discussions about Native American culture as well as the Eagle's ongoing symbolism in many other cultures across the world. The story of the Kletting Beehive can lead to discussions of design and architecture. The Kletting Beehive can also lead to a lesson on how to depict familiar objects in new and unusual ways--to see something that everybody has seen a thousand times and then see what nobody has ever seen before. I also enjoy giving presentations and would be comfortable speaking about the flag, symbolism, etc. if the opportunity arose. MARKETING USE This design is particular open to use on merchandise with its bright colors and symbols. If you would like to see examples of this flag flying and see how it might look on merchandise (and if this is allowed), please look at this album here: https://imgur.com/a/ZorcVc5 Please Contact me for the original Adobe Illustrator Files or if you have any other questions. Thank you. |
