A new flag, adopted 2020, of blue with a central magnolia blossom ringed by stars, “In God We Trust” beneath. Red bars flank the edges. It replaces the Confederate battle emblem with a gentler, more inclusive symbol, magnolia for hospitality, stars for unity.
Blue field with central magnolia encircled by stars and red-gold bars on edges.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- New Magnolia Flag Commission
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- Yes
- Animals
- None listed
- Design type
- Modern emblematic flag
- Complexity
- 4/10
- Readability
- 8/10
- Seal-based design
- No
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
Magnolia Blossom
Represents hospitality and rebirth.
20 Stars
Symbolize Mississippi as the 20th state.
Gold Star
Honors Native American tribes.
Motto
‘In God We Trust’ displayed beneath blossom.
Design Breakdown
The Mississippi 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: Blue field with central magnolia encircled by stars and red-gold bars on edges.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- One of the most recently adopted U.S. state flags
- Only state flag centered on a magnolia blossom
- Explicitly incorporates recognition of Indigenous peoples through a gold star
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Clear break from previous controversial design
- Strong central symbolism
- Balanced and symmetrical layout
Common criticism
- Includes text
- Relatively detailed central emblem
- Dark colors reduce contrast at distance
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: No
Notable proposals
- Magnolia Flag selected by the Mississippi Commission on the Redesign of the State Flag
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Mississippi state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Explain symbolism of the magnolia blossom.
- Discuss why the 2021 redesign was significant.
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
Magnolia
A white magnolia blossom centered on the flag.
Attributes: White magnolia flower, Green leaves
Meaning: Hospitality, resilience, and Mississippi’s natural beauty
Stars
Twenty white stars surrounding the magnolia, with one larger gold star above.
Attributes: Twenty white five-pointed stars, One gold star
Meaning: Mississippi as the 20th state, with the gold star representing Indigenous peoples
Field
Dark blue background field.
Meaning: Unity, stability, and continuity with American national colors
Motto
The words 'In God We Trust' displayed beneath the magnolia.
Attributes: English text
Meaning: Shared values and faith held by the state’s citizens
Historical Timeline
Mississippi admitted as 20th state.
New magnolia flag adopted after statewide vote.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: Modern emblematic flag
Complexity: 4/10
Readability: 8/10
Fascinating Facts
Mississippi was the last U.S. state to remove the Confederate emblem from its flag.
The magnolia blossom is the state flower.
The current flag was adopted in 2021.
The magnolia symbolizes hospitality and perseverance.
The blue canton features a gold five-pointed star.
The star represents unity and Mississippi’s place in the Union.
Red, white, and blue reflect Mississippi’s American identity.
The redesign followed a statewide public vote.
State Information
- Population
- 2,961,279
- Area
- 48,432
- Founded
- 10 Dec 1817
- Region
- South
