Louisiana State Flag

Officially Adopted: November 22, 2010 (Original design adopted 1912)

The Louisiana state flag was originally adopted in 1912 but in November 2010 it was updated with more detail. The design on the flag consists of a heraldic image of a mother eastern brown pelican in her nest feeding her young with her blood on a blue background with white and gold details – blue, gold, and white are the official colors of Louisiana.

Under the pelican image is a white ribbon bearing the Louisiana state motto, “Union, Justice, and Confidence”. On the updated flag, the motto is said to have no punctuation.

The image of the pelicans represents self-sacrifice and dedication. It was a traditional common image by the early French settlers of Louisiana. The image of the pelicans is also shown on the official state seal of Louisiana.