Municipal Flag of Chicago

The municipal flag of Chicago consists of two blue horizontal stripes on a field of white, each stripe one-sixth the height of the full flag, and placed slightly less than one-sixth of the way from the top or bottom, respectively. Between the two blue stripes are four red, six-pointed stars arranged in a horizontal row.

Symbolism

Stripes

The three white stripes of the flag represent, from top to bottom, the North, West and South sides of the city. The top blue stripe represents Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the Chicago River. The bottom blue stripe represents the South Branch of the Chicago River and the Great Canal.

Stars

The four red stars on the center white stripe, from left to right:

• The first star represents the Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812. It was added to the flag in 1939. Its six points symbolize transportation, labor, commerce, finance, populousness, and salubrity.

• The second star stands for the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and is original to the 1917 design of the flag. Its six points represent religion, education, esthetics, justice, beneficence, and civic pride.

• The third star symbolizes the World Columbian Exposition of 1893, and is original to the 1917 design. Its six points stand for political entities Chicago belonged to: France 1693, Great Britain 1763, Virginia 1778, the Northwest Territory 1798, Indiana Territory 1802, and Illinois 1818.

• The fourth star represents the Century of Progress Exposition (1933-1934), and was added in 1933. Its points refer to: the World's Third Largest City, Chicago's Latin Motto (Urbs in horto – City in a garden), Chicago's "I Will" Motto, Great Central Marketplace, Wonder City, Convention City.

External links

• Municipal Code of Chicago (sections pertaining to Municipal Flag)