Rhode Island General Laws
Section 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.
Joe McMillan, 20 February 2000
Living in New England, I often see the flag of Rhode Island but I can't ever remember seeing it with fringe when outdoors. The fringed version stipulated here is probably only used indoors.
Terence Martin, 28 July 2003
THE flag of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations as it presently exists was formally adopted by the General Assembly at the January Session of 1897. Rhode Island was the third of the original thirteen colonies to formally adopt a State Flag, New Jersey and New York having done so in 1896. Although of such recent origin it incorporates all the features which from time to time have been prescribed by the General Assembly. The colors, white and blue, are the same as those used in the flags carried by the regiments of the State of Rhode Island during the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. The stars which represent the thirteen original states were also used on flags of the Continental Regiments from Rhode Island during the Revolution. The anchor has been connected with Rhode Island since its foundation. In 1647 the Assembly acting under the Cromwellian Patent of 1643 setting up the Providence Plantations adopted the anchor as the seal of the province. In 1644 when a more liberal charter was granted by King Charles II to the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the anchor was again chosen for the seal but the word "Hope" was added over the head of the anchor.
Chris Young, 3 August 1999 |
Rhode Island (RI) State Flag