Flag of Massachusetts

What the flag looks like

A white field with the state arms: a blue shield showing a Native American with a bow and a downward-pointing arrow and a white star, an arm holding a broadsword above, and a blue ribbon with the Latin motto below.

What it means

The Latin motto means "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"; the downward arrow signals peace.

How to remember it

Massachusetts is white, not blue, with a blue shield in the middle showing a single standing figure and a sword-arm above.

Fun facts

• Until 1971 the flag had a different reverse: a green pine tree on a blue shield.
• A state commission has been working on a replacement flag since 2024, but the current design remains the official one.

Massachusetts at a glance

Nickname

The Bay State

Statehood

1788

Capital

Boston

Region

New England

Population

7.0 million

Area

27,336 km²

Flag adopted

1971

Flags often confused with Massachusetts

• Illinois: Illinois and Massachusetts are both a seal-style emblem on white. Illinois shows a bald eagle on a rock with ILLINOIS beneath; Massachusetts shows a blue shield with a Native American figure and no state name.