Louisiana State Flag

The Louisiana state flag is the official civic flag of Louisiana. A solid blue background covers the field. A white pelican stands in the center, feeding blood to three young birds in a nest.

The state motto Union Justice Confidence appears on a white ribbon below. This image has roots in Louisiana's colonial period. Courthouses, state offices, and schools across Louisiana display this flag.

The pelican represents self-sacrifice and devotion. Medieval legend claimed pelicans wounded their own breasts. They fed their young with blood during famine. This symbolism became associated with Christian sacrifice and parental care, and it connects directly to the official Louisiana state bird.

Louisiana adopted the pelican as a symbol of commitment to its citizens. The three chicks represent the people being nurtured. The blood dripping from the pelican's breast emphasizes sacrifice.

The motto Union Justice Confidence reflects Louisiana's political values. Union refers to loyalty to the United States. Justice represents fair governance. Confidence expresses trust in democratic institutions and appears alongside Louisiana's broader state color tradition.

Louisiana recognized its state flag in 1912. The legislature codified a design that had appeared on unofficial banners for decades. The pelican image traced back to 1803. Louisiana's territorial seal showed this symbol first. Pelican imagery appeared on military and civic banners during the 19th century, including during the Civil War. These designs influenced later state symbolism but were not formally adopted as official state flags.

The 1912 flag showed a pelican feeding three chicks. No visible blood drops appeared. The designer of the flag is not recorded in official state records. The design emerged from existing state symbolism tied to the Pelican State nickname.

The legislature updated the flag in 2006. The revision required three drops of blood. This matched historical pelican symbolism. In 2010, lawmakers passed additional specifications. The pelican must appear in her vigilance. That's a heraldic term for the protective stance.

The flag uses blue, white, yellow, and red. Blue forms the field and matches the shade in the United States flag. White appears in the pelican and ribbon. Yellow colors the nest. Red represents the blood drops.