American Flag Clipart

The American flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes alternating between red and white, representing the original 13 colonies. In the upper left corner is a blue rectangle with 50 white stars, symbolizing the 50 states of the Union. Flag historians believe the first American flag was designed by New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross around June 1776 at George Washington’s request.

The Second Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act in 1777 to formally adopt an official flag. It prescribed thirteen stripes alternating red and white, and thirteen white stars on a blue field to represent a new constellation. Since then there have been 27 versions as more states entered the Union. The current 50-star flag became the official flag on July 4, 1960 after Hawaii became the 50th state.

Symbolism of the Flag

The colors and shapes of the U.S. flag are ripe with meaning and symbolism. The red stripes commemorate the bloodshed and sacrifice of American lives. White represents purity and innocence of the revolutionary ideal. Blue alludes to vigilance, perseverance and justice. The stars represent each individual state as part of the unified nation. The 13 stripes stand for the original colonies that gained independence from Britain. Together the stars, stripes and colors embody the outlook and spirit of United States of America.

Flag Etiquette

There are many guidelines dictating proper display and care for the American flag outlined in the U.S. Flag Code. First and foremost, the flag should never touch the ground or become damaged. It must be illuminated if flown at night. Flagpoles should be tall enough that the flag does not drape limply. The flag can be decorated on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, etc. but should never be marked on or have anything pinned to it. Proper disposal of worn flags is by burning or interment. Everyone should face the flag when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with their right hand over the heart. Men should remove hats during flags ceremonies. These are just a few important rules of handling Old Glory respectfully.

Uses & Significance of the Flag

The sight of Stars and Stripes often fills Americans with deep patriotism and pride at events like the Olympics, Fourth of July festivities, political rallies, and military welcome ceremonies. The American flag appears at prominent sites like the White House, state capitol buildings, schools, post offices, and town halls across the nation. The flag symbolizes freedom, liberty, and national unity with 50 stars representing 50 states being bound together peacefully. At times of tragedy, flags at government installations fly at half-mast to honor the fallen. Images of first responders raising the flag over rubble of disasters stirs national fervor. The flag is saluted at military memorials and funerals with great solemnity.

Notable American Flags

Certain symbolic American flags have their own legendary auras. The Betsy Ross flag references the popular legend of the colonial seamstress creating the first Stars and Stripes. The giant garrison flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the “Star Spangled Banner” poem while seeing it wave after the Battle of Fort McHenry is proudly displayed at Smithsonian Museum of American History. Photos of U.S. soldiers raising a flag over Iwo Jima during WWII galvanized American spirit. The Iwo Jima photograph re-creation is cast in bronze at Arlington Cemetery. These flags remind people of the America’s prowess and ideals like liberty, bravery and sacrifice.

American Flag in Popular Culture

As the enduring symbol of United States, the American flag is ubiquitous in American art, media and culture. Famous flag raising historical photographs remain iconic. The Iwo Jima image is recreated in a famous sculpture in Arlington National Cemetery. Paintings like Archibald Willard’s patriotic Spirit of ’76 with a ragged flag bearer is widely reproduced. Pop artists like Jasper Johns have incorporated flags into colorful mixed-media artworks. American flag imagery frequently appears in advertising, fashion apparel, TV shows, films, music albums and performances to connote American patriotism and invoke emotional attachments.

American Flag Clipart

Clipart refers to generic digital artwork of real-world objects that are available royalty-free for anyone to use. Flag clipart contains PNG images of American flags in various graphical styles, rendered as flat 2D vectors, 3D models, with stylized effects, blurred backgrounds and customized messages on top. They come in multiple file formats like PNG, SVG, EPS and are extremely easy to download and insert into all kinds of graphic design projects by desktop publishers and digital creators.

Flag Iconography

American flag clipart features common patriotic icons associated with the Star-Spangled Banner like eagles with wings spread, military jets streaking with long smoke trails in red, white and blue, the stars and stripes waving together, superimposed on faces of national figures like Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial silhouetted behind the flowing flag and shield-shaped badges merging the flag and eagle symbol. These icons closely intertwine concepts of American patriotism, freedom and sacrifice with the unmistakable visual elements of Old Glory.

American Flag Design Variations

Artists create American flag graphical clipart in every conceivable aesthetic style. There are vintage,. weathered, grungy iterations with frayed edges, ink scratched creased marks and dull faded colors overlaid with grainy textures mimicking old cloth. Clean sharp Flags with bright colors flow in painted, sketched, vector, monochrome, duotoned and textured styles. Patriotic themes depict flags with visible stars & stripes motifs blended into shapes of guitars, cowboy hats, sports jerseys, superheroes, brands, tattoo art and other iconic American cultural symbols.

Using American Flag Clipart

American flag clip art is widely used in print and digital design projects needing easily-recognizable graphical elements symbolizing United States patriotism. These modular flag image files pop into graphics, posters and templates for banners, flyers, brochures, business cards, invitations, web graphics, memes, presentations and social media posts during patriotic holidays. Artists often layer messages, custom illustrations and other iconography over flag background clipart to make eye-catching compositions. Students use flag clip art to make Veterans Day ‘thank you’ cards for soldiers, create Fourth of July crafts, design Memorial Day wreaths, decorate cakes, customize apparel, build parade floats and other DIY projects.

In this page clipartix present 64 american flag clipart images free for designing activities. Lets download American Flag Clipart that you want to use for works or personal uses.