The flag of
Louisiana consists of a heraldic charge called a "pelican in her
piety," representing a mother pelican wounding her breast to feed
her young from the blood. This symbol, emblematic of Christian
charity (and also the official state bird, the Brown Pelican), is
also found on the state seal. On the flag it is depicted above a
ribbon with the state motto: "Union, Justice, and Confidence." The
current flag was adopted in 2006, revising the original pelican
design of 1912.
During the 19th century it was traditional in Louisiana flags and
the state seal for the "pelican in her piety" to have three drops
of blood on her chest.[1] However, in later years the tradition
(on both the state flag and seal) had been haphazardly followed,
which was noticed by an eighth-grader at Vandebilt Catholic High
School in Houma who brought this to the attention of his state
legislator.[1] The issue was resolved in April 2006, when the
Louisiana State Legislature passed a bill (House Bill 833/Act
92[2]) which requires three drops of blood to be depicted on the
pelican used in both the state's flag and seal.
Past flags
Prior to 1861, the State of Louisiana had no official flag, though
a flag similar to the modern one was often used.
In January 1861, after seceding from the United States to join the
Confederate States of America, Louisiana unofficially used a flag
based on the flag of France.
In February 1861, Louisiana officially adopted a flag with a
single yellow star in a red canton, with thirteen red, white and
blue stripes. This was used through the end of the American Civil
War, though the Pelican flag and Flag of January 1861 remained in
use unofficially.
Sterling Silver Charm of Louisiana |
