Appalachian Flag
🏴 3' x 5' Appalachian Flag with grommets and double stitched edges to reduce fraying.
✍️ The Design (via AppalachianFlag.org): The Appalachian flag design was finalized in 2023 after over a year of discussion and contributions by Appalachians through online social media discussions, primarily through websites such as Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter. Through the year, the design slowly changed and morphed based off of aesthetic principle and community input.
Finally, this design was chosen from a list of 6 possible designs in an online vote taken by over 300 participants from Appalachian social media groups, receiving a vast majority of the votes. Following the vote, the design was placed under Creative Commons as to ensure the highest degree of ease of access is available to Appalachians interested in representing their region.
Color Scheme
- The green is representative of the lush forests that wrap around the ancient mountains and the rural setting of the region.
- The navy blue is representative of the blue hue that colors the distant ridgelines that rest on the horizon while traveling through Appalachia.
- The gold is representative of the morning sun pouring out over the distant hills, indicative of a bright future for those who reside in these hills.
- The off-white of the quilt star motif is taken from the color of cloth, indicative of a blank canvas from which each Appalachian may draw their own colorful story.
- Altogether, the design forms a depiction of the beautiful mountain landscape that is distinctly unique to the Appalachian region.
Design Elements
- The quilt star is a symbol found throughout Appalachian arts and crafts, commonly seen on the facades of barns and in the construction of quilts in many Appalachian homes. The inclusion of this symbol is meant to symbolize the unique Appalachian people that reside within the mountains, with every rendition of the star being done in the artist’s style and coloration, further including the diverse array of cultures, faces, and backgrounds in the Appalachian people.
- The horizontal construction of the flag is meant to convey the message of the overlapping scenes of the mountains on the horizon.
- The jagged peaks, while not common in much of Appalachia, are meant to convey a stronger symbol of mountains and match the quilt star’s geometry.
- The rolling lines of the rolling hills flag is meant to be closer to the reality of the Appalachian mountains for many people, conveying the actual topography of these weathered ancient mountains that many of us call home.
- the broken color fragments of the mountain quilt is meant to convey the analogy of a quilt, a common craft that can be found throughout Appalachia.
What was excluded from the design
- This design leaves out any semblance of reference toward ethnicity or race. While it is true that there are predominant trends in ethnic movements and backgrounds in Appalachia (the Scots-Irish likely being the most notable), Appalachia still is a constantly changing region with many different faces, each contributing to our region’s culture and identity in their own unique way. By including any sort of symbols for any specific ethnic background, you are simultaneously excluding every other background by not representing them. Therefore, the flag remains neutral in this and instead seeks to only represent the symbol that unites all of us: the mountains that we call home.
- The design leaves out any sort of reference to political affiliation. While general political cultures exist, the Appalachian region also has a colorful history with many different political leanings and the inclusion of political elements would only serve as a divisive and inconclusive element.
- This design leaves out any sort of reference to economic activity in the Appalachian region. While it is true that there were predominant resource industries that dotted this region, many of those economic activities have spotted history for many Appalachians and are not all-inclusive.
Domestic US orders over $75 receive free shipping automatically at checkout!
Frequently Asked Questions
📏 Which size is right for me?
See the Size Guide video below to see us explain every size we offer.
🖨 Single-Sided or Double-Sided?
Single-sided flags are one piece of our durable polyester fabric with full color on both sides. Note: If the design has text, it will be mirrored on the back. These are light-weight and catch a breeze easily. It's the flag you are probably picturing in your head.
Double-sided flags are three layers of fabric that allow zero light through, but any text on the design will read correctly on both sides. They are therefore heavier, and work great as display flags. You can definitely use them outdoors, but note that it takes more wind to get going due to their added weight. During storms, we suggest taking them in as they get even heavier and are more likely to be damaged.
🏳️ How You Can Rock It
Each flag is ready to be used on a flag pole, boat, or to proudly march with so you can express your identity!
🌎 How We Ship It
Created in the most Earth-conscious way we can. We use home-compostable and discreet shipping bags.
These flags are produced by our manufacturing partner in China and sent to you by our team in Indianapolis.
Size Guide