Rhode Island State Flag

Rhode Island State Flag

The Adoption of the Rhode Island Flag

March 30, 1877, the General Assembly of the State enacted the following law: —

” The flag of the State shall be a foul anchor, with the motto,’ HOPE,’ the whole to be surrounded by a scroll, around which, in a circle, with as many stars as there are States in the Union. The color of the anchor, motto, and stars shall be blue, the scroll red, in the centre of a white field. This act to take effect from and after its passage.”

The device symbolizes those principles of civil and religious liberty which led to the founding of the colony, and in which the faith of the citizens of the State is still deeply anchored. The motto, ” Hope,” above the silver shield directs the mind to the uncertain future, anticipating the growing prosperity of the State and the perpetuity of its institutions, while the unlettered label attached to the shield denotes that events are still progressing in the march of time, and await the completion of history before the destiny of the State shall be recorded thereon.

Source: George Henry Preble, Rear Admiral USN; History of the flag of the United States of America, Houghton, Mifflin & Company 1894

Legislative Description of the Rhode Island State Flag

TITLE 42
State Affairs and Government

CHAPTER 42-4
State Emblems

SECTION 42-4-3

§ 42-4-3 State flag. – The flag of the state shall be white, five feet and six inches (5’6″) fly and four feet and ten inches (4’10″) deep on the pike, bearing on each side in the center a gold anchor, twenty-two inches (22″) high, and underneath it a blue ribbon twenty-four inches (24″) long and five inches (5″) wide, or in these proportions, with the motto “Hope” in golden letters thereon, the whole surrounded by thirteen (13) golden stars in a circle. The flag shall be edged with yellow fringe. The pike shall be surmounted by a spearhead and the length of the pike shall be nine feet (9′), not including the spearhead.

Source: The State of Rhode Island

Pledge of Allegiance To The Rhode Island State Flag

I pledge allegiance to our State Flag, and to the Republic of which Rhode Island forms a part; one Union inseparable, with honor and reverence for both State and Nation.

Source: Second Annual Program for Patriotic Exercises In Schools, May Fourth, 1910. The Commissioner of Public Schools, Rhode Island Department of Education, 1910.