Central yellow beehive surrounded by nine white stars, in red hexagon, encircled in yellow and a row of 45 white stars in blue band, one blue star above, background alternates blue and white

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Title Central yellow beehive surrounded by nine white stars, in red hexagon, encircled in yellow and a row of 45 white stars in blue band, one blue star above, background alternates blue and white
Design Feature Beehive; Star; Hexagon; Circle; Stripes
Publisher Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement
Date 2022-01-29
Spatial Coverage Utah, United States https://www.geonames.org/5549030/utah.html
Subject Flags; Utah; Vexillography
Description Starting with the background of this design, the choice in color first is meant as a reference to the original flag of the state of Deseret. Forged by the descriptions of it by Don Magquire in 1877, it can be considered by many to be the first flag of Utah. The blue represents freedom, and how Utah came to be a haven for those who sought after religious freedom, and the right to practice their way of life. The white is meant to signify the harmony and peace that our state came to know after receiving statehood, and later success throughout the 20th century. Moving to the center of the flag, there are 45 stars layed out in a circle, inside around the beehive, and one large star on top. These 45 stars are meant to signify that Utah is the 45th state in the Union, and the stars around the beehive have a special meaning given their layout. Signifying the Beehive cluster, a cluster of stars designated by the state as the state star cluster, this is meant to signify faith. Many people of many creeds look to the stars as a sign of the heavens or of their faith. Faith is a tenant that Utah was built on, believing that things can get better, and that things will be okay. There are not many who can come to a barren desert and build one of the most thriving economies in the west. The single star on top of the flag signifies the state star, Dubhe, and to signify a brighter future. Guiding the others, this star and the white laid out to be a symbol of hope, and guidance that Utah's future will continue to be bright. Going within the circle, the yellow circle is meant to signify a rising sun, another symbol of hope. The yellow is to signify prosperity and struggle, as Utah's history began with it, and ended in prosperity. The red hexagon is an eye catcher within this design. Within a beehive, bees build in hexagon shapes, this provides strength and support to the rest of the colony and provide a space to produce honey. This shape is meant to signify all of that, along to signify unity. Hexagons provide all geometric shapes a place to join together, along with being able to fit inside circles. This is meant to signify Utah's ability to work together, despite our beliefs, religions, races, or creeds. The red is also meant to signify strength in Utah's resolve. Of course, no proposal for a Utahn flag would be complete without our state symbol, the beehive. Signifying Utah's ability for industry, and to work together, the beehive invests the spirit of all Utahns, and is the cornerstone of our state's identity.
Collection Number and Name More Than A Flag: Utah State Flag Redesign
Type Image
Genre flags
Format image/jpeg
Rights
Rights Management Creator of flag design submitted and authorized More Than A Flag Initiative along with Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement to use their design and/or information related to their design in publications, advertising, including social media platforms. Consent was freely given as a public service without expectation of payment.
Scanning Technician Born digital
ARK ark:/87278/s6afve40
Alternate Name(s) 13295320084
Setname dha_mtaf
ID 2199623
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6afve40
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