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Indiana (U.S.)

image by Clay Moss, 24 October 2007 and António Martins-Tuválkin, 6 December 2024

Flag Description
State Seal
Early 20th Century state flag proposals
State Military Crest
Sheriff's Flag

See also:

In 1818, five stars were added, representing Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee, bringing the total number of stars on the U.S. flag to 20. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.

Flag Description

According to the 1971 "The International Flag Book in Color" by Christian Fogd Pedersen, the Indiana flag is as follows:

"Adopted in 1917 as the result of a competition. The 13 stars in the outer circle represent the 13 original States. The inner semi-circle with 5 stars represent the 5 other States adopted into the Union before Indiana. The star directly above the torch symbolizes Indiana as the nineteenth State of the Union. The torch is a symbol of liberty and enlightenment."

Michael P. Smuda, 29 June 1998

The flag was designed by Paul Hadley of Mooresville - adopted by the 1917 General Assembly.

Official description from Indiana Code 1-2-2-1:

Its dimensions shall be three (3) feet fly by two (2) feet hoist; or five (5) feet fly by three (3) feet hoist; or any size proportionate to either of those dimensions. The field of the flag shall be blue with nineteen (19) stars and a flaming torch in gold or buff. Thirteen (13) stars shall be arranged in an outer circle, representing the original thirteen (13) states; five (5) stars shall be arranged in a half circle below the torch and inside the outer circle of stars, representing the states admitted prior to Indiana; and the nineteenth star, appreciably larger than the others and representing Indiana shall be placed above the flame of the torch. The outer circle of stars shall be so arranged that one (1) star shall appear directly in the middle at the top of the circle, and the word "Indiana" shall be placed in a half circle over and above the star representing Indiana and midway between it and the star in the center above it. Rays shall be shown radiating from the torch to the three (3) stars on each side of the star in the upper center of the circle.

Dov Gutterman, 9 October 1998

Whitney Smith, and others following him, habitually use the 26:33 formulation, but this is a bit misleading. This ratio generally applies to flags in the specific size of 4 ft 4 in by 5 ft 6 in (52 x 66 in), the regulation size of U.S. infantry and artillery colors at the time the Indiana state flag (and many other state flags) were adopted. Many of these flags were adopted primarily to be carried in parades and other ceremonies, and legislatures often specified the then-current size of national colors to apply to state flags. The same would apply to the fringe attached to them, which (following the military example) would be 2 1/2 inches wide.

I imagine that Indiana flags were seldom if ever made for hoisting in the 52 x 66 inch size, and I have to believe that the 1979 law is current.

Joe McMillan, 1 August 2003

State Seal

Indiana's state seal has a frontiersman chopping a log and a bison running away to the west. The torch and stars were designed specifically for the flag.
Joe McMillan, 5 February 2001

Early 20th Century state flag proposals

Hoosier schoolchildren learn that Paul Hadley of Mooresville designed the state flag in 1917 and won a $100 prize from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for his efforts. But, is that what really happened?

The Indiana Flag: Who Really Designed It? chronicles the DAR’s four-year campaign to persuade lawmakers to adopt a unique state flag. It details how two other flags - one designed by a Civil War veteran from Richmond, Indiana, in 1914 and one created by a New York-based pageant director in 1916 both played a pivotal role in Hadley’s ultimate design.

The book [rkd23] also reveals the previously untold story of an 1885 state flag created for the dedication of the Washington Monument and of a law enacted in 1901 to make “Old Glory” the official state flag of Indiana.
On https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/717FBy1fJnL._SL1360_.jpg the back cover this same text and two tantalizing flag images; cover at https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uX76PfVHL._SL1360_.jpg.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 7 December 2024

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 25 January 2025

Shown on the back cover of [rkd23], captioned "the I. B. Arnold flag, 1914" is a blue and white flag, the main area divided by an angled line, chevron like, pointing to the fly (presuming this image has the hoist at the viewer’s left hand, as usual), and two narrow red stripes along the top and bottom edges; on the blue area 13 small stars in a ring surrounding a much larger star, and five more small stars on each corner of the blue area. All stars are golden (amber), regular five-pointed and pointing upwards. Blue and red are both dark (likely Old Glory Blue and Red). Ratio is about 29:40.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 25 January 2025

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 25 January 2025

Also shown on the back cover of [rkd23], captioned "the centennial flag, 1916" is a green and blue unequal triband, with the central panel taking about half of the flag’s width (Canadian style). On it, thirteen small stars in a ring surrounding a much larger star, and more small stars - on each corner of the blue area and one more by the middle of the lower edge. Stars are golden (amber), regular five-pointed and pointing upwards. The shade of blue is dark. Ratio is about 25:36.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 25 January 2025

State Military Crest

image by Joe McMillan, 21 April 2000

The state military crest, which is the crest used in the coats of arms of units of the National Guard, as granted by the precursor organizations of what is now the Army Institute of Heraldry. The official Institute of Heraldry blazon is "A demi-lion rampant argent, holding in dexter paw a laurel branch vert."
Joe McMillan, 21 April 2000

Sheriff's Flag

image located by Valentin Poposki, 3 December 2005
Source: isa.winters1.com/associate/proddetail.asp?prod=ISAFLAG

The flag is described as "Custom Outdoor Sheriff Flag. Brown with Indiana Sheriffs Association Logo silk screened in gold. brown and green. Flag reads correctly from both sides and is equipped with canvas heading and brass grommets.
Valentin Poposki, 3 December 2005