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Explanation of Utah Petroglyph Flag NOTE: PLEASE GOOGLE "UTE PANEL PETROGLYPH SEGO CANYON UTAH" BEFORE READING THIS EXPLANATION. It will really help you to understand the meaning of this flag. This flag is inspired by a petroglyph found in Sego Canyon, Utah. It is a simple modification to include a beehive in the center. It provides a stunning simple graphic design that unites the old with the new. Colors: Bridger Blue (RGB 0, 0, 153) (Hex 002060) Cannon Yellow (RGB 254, 190, 0) (Hex FEBE00) Rivera Red (RGB 204, 51, 51) (Hex CC3333) Color symbolism: Bridger Blue: Represents LOYALTY, VIGILANCE, PERSERVERANCE, AND JUSTICE. Also represents the blue sky and waters found throughout the state. Cannon Yellow: HAPPINESS, HOPE, CREATIVITY, INTELLECT, AND WISDOM. Also represents the abundant sunshine found throughout the state and honey, (the fruit of one's labor), agriculture and the abundant wealth found throughout the state. Rivera Red: HARDINESS, VALOR, LIFE AND COURAGE. Also represents the red rock soil and the people's love for the land. Shape symbolism THE BEEHIVE: Represents industry, hard work and working together for the common good of all. It has four lines dividing it into five sections, representing Utah as the 45th state. The beehive sits on a base representing the support of the United States and the commitment of the people of Utah to its defense and to its laws. THE PETROGLYPH: Represents Utah's connection to its past and the people who came before us and the contributions they made in building Utah into what it is today. The main part is a circle, representing completeness and the idea of being complete with the past and accepting both the positive (the yellow) as well as the negative (the reddish color) and learning from both. Branching out of the circle are thirteen lines, representing the thirteen American colonies as well as the state's five national parks and eight national monuments, totaling thirteen. The lines form thirteen rays and give the appearance of the sun, representing the warmth, hospitality and optimism of the people of Utah. The rays also represent that people from around the world have made Utah their home, bringing with them their cultures, traditions and values. The yellow and reddish colors also represent the idea of using our courage and intellect to face our challenges. The petroglyph itself comes from (appropriately) the Ute panel in Sego Canyon, Utah. From what I have read, it is estimated to have been made somewhere between 1300-1600 AD., because the panel has pictures of horses and rider figures. The exact meaning of this particular petroglyph is unknown. However, after reading and studying about the history and the other petroglyphs nearby, I see a beautiful symbol. When I look at it, and try to decipher the actual meaning, I come up with two possible meanings. Both would be relevant to my choice to have this symbol represent the people of Utah. The first is that the circle part is a shield and the lines are arrows. Since the arrows are not inside the circle, I see it then as representing victory or triumph over obstacles and challenges. The other possibility is that it is an artist doing just what others had done, create a picture that tells a story. What I see is a circle with two red bands representing a group of people or a clan. Surrounding the circle are around fifty lines of varying length. What I think it means is that the artist is telling a story of their people. In my mind what I see is a group picture or an accounting of their group. I see a representation of old people (the long lines) and young people (the short lines) and others in between. I think it was their way of saying, "we were here, this is who we are. THIS IS THE PLACE we call home. This is where we live, hunt and enjoy living our lives." I've tried to see it as a religious symbol, but I just can't. I can't find any other place that has this symbol nor have I found it in any Native American textile, pottery or basket patterns. It seems to me to be just be a humble symbol of a group that lived and loved in that area. And that, in my mind makes this the perfect symbol. A relatively unknown, humble, nonreligious, ancient UTE symbol modified with another ancient symbol that also has a modern meaning, the beehive, to make a stunning, timeless representation of the people of Utah today. It seamlessly combines into a perfect mixture of the old and the modern, that seems to say, "THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE for us to live, work, create, to use our intellect and wisdom to meet the challenges of our time." Since this symbol has survived centuries of dealing with the harsh climate, and sadly, vandalism, it is also perfectly symbolizes the qualities of hardiness, fortitude and resilience. This flag would be a great starting point to teach children about Utah history and help them to appreciate and build upon the legacy left for them by those who have come before them. When I first found this petroglyph online, I was immediately drawn to it. My first thought was to do just as I did, put a beehive in it. I sat and pondered, trying to understand who the original artist was and what he or she was actually trying to say or what was the real purpose in making it was in first place. He or she obviously went through a lot effort and trouble to make it. I think about what motivated these people to go, hunt and live there, as opposed to more hospitable places. I wonder about what they learned and how would they feel having their art displayed on a flag hundreds of years in the future and becoming an inspirational symbol for millions of people. What would he or she think of my modification of it to include a beehive? What thoughts would they have about us? Would we be the kind of people that the original artist would be proud and okay with their art being a representation of us? We will never know, but I feel that this flag can be that kind of inspiration to make and keep us a better people that works together, as they did and that learns from past triumphs and failures. |
