Half rays of red and yellow blaze above a copper star, set against blue. The colours nod to both the Spanish legacy and the desert sunsets. Copper, central to the state’s industry, shines literally at the flag’s heart. Arizona is “The Grand Canyon State,” and the flag radiates its drama.
Top half with alternating red and gold rays, bottom half blue, with copper star centered.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- Charles W. Harris
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- No
- Animals
- None listed
- Design type
- Radiant sunburst with central emblem
- Complexity
- 4/10
- Readability
- 9/10
- Seal-based design
- No
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
13 Rays
Represent 13 original colonies and the Western setting sun.
Copper Star
Symbolizes Arizona’s copper mining industry.
Blue Field
Represents liberty.
Design Breakdown
The Arizona flag can be described in a simple build order. This is useful for students learning how flags are constructed.
- Start with the base field described in the construction.
- Add the main shapes first (large stripe, field divisions, or background forms).
- Place the primary symbol(s) in their main position(s) (centre, canton, etc.).
- Finish with details like text, small emblems, and final color fills.
Construction note: Top half with alternating red and gold rays, bottom half blue, with copper star centered.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Only state flag to feature a copper-colored star
- Explicit reference to mineral wealth through color
- One of the few state flags with a rising sun motif
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Bold color contrast
- Clear state symbolism
- Highly distinctive appearance
- Strong geometric balance
Common criticism
- Often confused with the U.S. flag at a distance
- Copper star color can be misrepresented in reproductions
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: No
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Arizona state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Interpret copper star and sun rays symbolism.
- Relate design to Arizona’s mining industry.
Print this
Printable classroom handouts for this flag page.
Cite this page
Copy and paste a ready-made citation.
MLA
APA
Note: Citation formats can vary by school. These are common classroom defaults.
Seal Deep Dive
Rays Of Sun
Thirteen alternating red and gold rays rising from the center.
Attributes: Red and gold triangular rays
Meaning: Arizona as the westernmost of the original U.S. territories and the beauty of western sunsets
Copper Star
A large copper-colored star centered on the flag.
Attributes: Five-pointed copper star
Meaning: Arizona’s status as the nation’s leading copper-producing state
Blue Field
Solid blue lower half of the flag.
Meaning: Liberty, vigilance, and alignment with U.S. national colors
Historical Timeline
Arizona admitted as 48th state.
Flag design adopted.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: Radiant sunburst with central emblem
Complexity: 4/10
Readability: 9/10
Fascinating Facts
Arizona is the largest producer of copper in the U.S.
The rays reflect Arizona’s sunny climate and western heritage.
The star represents Arizona’s status as a U.S. state.
The red and yellow rays symbolize the sunsets of the western desert.
The blue field mirrors the color of the U.S. flag.
Copper-colored star references the state’s mining history.
The flag was officially adopted in 1917.
Arizona was the last of the contiguous states to join the Union.
State Information
- Population
- 7,151,502
- Area
- 113,990
- Founded
- 14 Feb 1912
- Region
- Southwest
