Arkansas State Flag

What Is the Arkansas State Flag?

The Arkansas state flag is the official banner representing Arkansas. A white diamond sits centered on a red field. Twenty-five white stars border the diamond on a blue band.

Four blue stars appear inside the diamond. One star sits above the word Arkansas. Three stars sit below. The flag uses red, white, and blue.

Government buildings, schools, and public locations across Arkansas fly this flag.

Meaning of the Arkansas Flag

The Arkansas state flag represents the state's history and position in the Union. Each element carries specific meaning tied to Arkansas's past.

The white diamond marks Arkansas as the only diamond-producing state in the nation. The 25 white stars show Arkansas as the 25th state admitted to the Union.

The three lower stars have triple meaning. They represent the three nations that ruled Arkansas before statehood: France, Spain, and the United States. They mark the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. They show Arkansas as the third state formed from that purchase. The top star represents the Confederate States of America.

History of the Arkansas State Flag

The Pine Bluff chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution launched a flag design contest in 1912. They wanted to present a flag to the USS Arkansas battleship. Secretary of State Earle E. Hodges told them no state flag existed. Hodges chaired the selection committee.

Sixty-five designs came in. Willie Kavanaugh Hocker of Wabbaseka submitted the winning entry. The committee asked Hocker to add the state name to the diamond. She agreed and rearranged the three stars, placing one above Arkansas and two below.

The General Assembly authorized the flag on February 26, 1913. In 1923, lawmakers added a fourth star to represent Confederate membership. They first placed two stars above and two below the name. The 1924 legislature moved three stars below and one above. Governor Bill Clinton signed the design into law in 1987.

Previous Versions of the Arkansas State Flag

1912

Hocker's Original Design

Willie K. Hocker's contest submission featured three blue stars centered in the diamond with no text.

1913–1923

First Official Flag

Featured the word Arkansas with one star above and two stars below, adopted February 26, 1913.

1923–1924

Second Official Flag

Added a fourth star with two stars above and two below the state name.

1924–present

Third Official Flag

Current design with one star above and three stars below Arkansas, adopted in 1924.

Symbols of the Arkansas State Flag

Arkansas State Flag Diamond

A white diamond sits at the center of the Arkansas flag. A blue band bordered with 25 white stars surrounds it.

The diamond marks Arkansas as the only diamond-bearing state in the United States. Crater of Diamonds State Park was the only diamond mine in North America when the flag was designed.

Arkansas State Flag 25 Stars

Twenty-five small white stars border the blue band around the diamond. These stars form a continuous ring.

The 25 stars represent Arkansas as the 25th state admitted to the Union. Arkansas joined on June 15, 1836.

Arkansas State Flag Four Stars

Four blue stars appear within the white diamond. One star sits above the word Arkansas. Three stars sit below in an inverted triangle.

The three lower stars carry triple symbolism. They represent France, Spain, and the United States. They mark the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. They show Arkansas as the third state created from that purchase. The upper star represents the Confederacy. The two outer lower stars suggest the twin relationship between Arkansas and Michigan, admitted to the Union within seven months of each other.

Arkansas State Flag Red Field

A red field covers the entire flag background. The white diamond and blue band sit centered on this red.

The red matches Old Glory Red from the United States flag. Willie Hocker chose red as part of the patriotic color scheme.

Colors of the Arkansas Flag

The Arkansas state flag uses red, white, and blue. These colors match those in the United States flag.

Old Glory Red forms the background field. White colors the diamond and 25 border stars. Old Glory Blue colors the band around the diamond and the four central stars. Arkansas law specifies these exact shades through Cable and Pantone values.

Arkansas State Flag Facts

• Arkansas adopted its state flag on February 26, 1913
• Willie Kavanaugh Hocker of Wabbaseka designed the flag
• The design contest drew 65 entries in 1912
• A fourth star was added in 1923 to represent the Confederacy
• The current arrangement of stars was set in 1924
• The flag ranked 45th in a 2001 North American vexillological survey