U.S. state · IN
Flag of Indiana
The Indiana flag has a gold torch with rays at the center of a deep blue field, surrounded by 19 stars and the word INDIANA. Paul Hadley of Mooresville designed it in 1916, and the state adopted it in 1917.
What the Indiana state flag looks like
The Indiana state flag has a blue field with a gold torch in the center. Gold rays radiate from the torch toward the stars of the outer circle. Around the torch are 19 stars arranged in three groups: an outer circle of 13 stars, an inner half-circle of 5 stars, and one large star above the torch. The word INDIANA is written in gold capital letters in a curve above the large star, following the shape of the half-circle below it.
State law describes the flag as three feet on the fly by two feet on the hoist, a 3:2 ratio. It uses just two colors, blue and gold (also described as buff), which makes it easy to recognize.
Indiana flag meaning and symbolism
The torch stands for liberty and enlightenment, and the rays shooting out from it show their far-reaching influence. The stars are the part that gets the most questions. The outer circle of 13 stars represents the original thirteen states that formed the Union. The inner half-circle of five stars stands for the five states admitted after the original thirteen and before Indiana: Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Louisiana. The large star above the torch represents Indiana itself, the 19th state, which joined the Union in 1816. The star is drawn larger than the others to mark its importance.
The colors have no officially stated meaning. Blue and gold are a traditional pairing, and the dark blue field sets off the gold torch and stars.
History of the Indiana flag
In 1901 a law made the U.S. flag the official flag of Indiana. In 1916, for the state's centennial, the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored a design contest at the request of the General Assembly. More than 200 entries came in, and the winner was Paul Hadley of Mooresville. The flag was chosen as the official state banner on May 31, 1917, with the General Assembly adding the name INDIANA over the large star.
In 1955 the banner was officially designated the state flag, and its dimensions were standardized. The design has remained unchanged since 1917.
If you are comparing flags in the region, see our U.S. state flags overview or the neighboring Illinois flag and Kentucky flag.
Indiana flag colors
#000F5DRGB
0, 15, 93CMYK
100, 84, 0, 64#FFB900RGB
255, 185, 0CMYK
0, 27, 100, 0Indiana flag facts
| Adopted | May 31, 1917 |
|---|---|
| Proportions | 2:3 |
| Designer | Paul Hadley |
| Symbols | five-pointed star, torch |
| State capital | Indianapolis |
| State motto | Crossroads of America |
| Population | 6,785,528 |
Indiana state flag FAQ
Why does the Indiana flag have 19 stars?
Thirteen stars stand for the original states, five stand for the states admitted before Indiana, and the large star stands for Indiana as the 19th state.
What does the torch on the Indiana flag mean?
The torch represents liberty and enlightenment, and its rays show how far-reaching their influence is.
Who designed the Indiana flag?
Paul Hadley of Mooresville designed the flag in 1916 as the winning entry in a contest held by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The state adopted it in 1917.
When did Indiana change its flag?
Indiana adopted the flag as its official state banner in 1917, and a 1955 law made it the state flag and standardized its dimensions. The design itself has not changed since 1917.
What colors are on the Indiana flag?
The flag uses a dark blue field with gold, also described as buff, for the torch, rays, stars and lettering. The law sets no official shades, but the Indiana Historical Bureau uses #000F5D for blue and #D59F0F for gold in digital files.
What does the Indiana state flag symbolize?
The gold torch stands for liberty and enlightenment, and its rays show their far-reaching influence. The 19 stars mark Indiana as the 19th state: 13 in the outer circle for the original colonies, five inside for the states admitted before Indiana, and one large star for Indiana itself. The law sets no official shades of blue or gold.
