Flags, Heritage, and Identity: Maine's 2024 Flag Redesign and Reflections on Germany's 1990 Flag Change

Written By dKay in Maine

In the 2024 US election, the state of Maine will vote on changing its flag. This proposed change hits home to me, as I’ve seen a flag change before, in 1990, when the East German flag changed back to the traditional black-red-gold tricolor.

Germany’s flag change after the reunification

When Germany reunified in 1990, it involved the dissolution of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and its incorporation into the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). Along with this came the elimination of the East German flag, which displayed the coat of arms – a hammer, a compass, and a wreath of rye placed in the center of the black-red-gold tricolor. The flag’s design and symbolism were derived from the flag of the Weimar Republic and communist symbolism (i.e., the hammer, compass, and wreath of rye).

  • The hammer represented the industrial working class, a crucial group in Marxist ideology. It emphasized the proletariat’s role in building and sustaining a socialist state, particularly in the context of industrial production.

  • The compass symbolized the intelligentsia—engineers, scientists, and professionals—responsible for advancing technology and education under socialism. It underscored the East German state’s belief in the guidance of intellectuals to shape society's future.

  • The wreath of rye represented the farmers and agricultural workers. It pointed to the collectivization of agriculture and the importance of the peasantry in the socialist structure.

Together, these elements visually communicated the unity of workers, farmers, and intellectuals, reflecting the Marxist-Leninist ideal of a society where all sectors collaborated under the leadership of the Communist Party. The intent was to distinguish East Germany from the Federal Republic of Germany, which shared the same black-red-gold tricolor without socialist symbolism. The East German flag represented the Communist regime and the division of Germany. It became a symbol of the Cold War, representing East Germany and Soviet influence.

By adopting the black-red-gold tricolor in 1990 for the reunited Germany, Germany symbolized a return to democratic ideals and unity. It signified the end of communist rule in the East and represented the hopes for a peaceful, unified Germany.

However, the situation in Germany differs from that in Maine. In Maine, the proposed change to the flag has been driven by state lawmakers and advocates interested in returning to a simpler, more symbolic design inspired by Maine's original 1901 flag. The effort gained momentum in recent years, intending to create a flag that reflects Maine's unique identity and heritage in a modern and visually appealing way.

The Pine Tree State?!

The current Maine flag features the state's coat of arms on a blue field, also known as the “Union” or “canton.” In the center of a heraldic shield, a moose rests under a large pine tree. On the left of the shield, it shows a farmer, while on the right, it shows a seaman. Above the shield sits the North Star (Polaris), partially covered by a banner that carries the state’s motto: “Dirigo” (Latin for “I lead” or “I direct”). Underneath the shield is another banner showing the state’s name: Maine.

  • The moose represents Maine's rich wildlife and vast forests, home to the second-largest moose population in the United States (only topped by Alaska). It symbolizes Maine’s connection to nature, wilderness, and outdoor life.

  • The pine tree, specifically the Eastern White Pine, is a long-standing symbol of Maine, also reflected in its nickname, the "Pine Tree State." The tree represents the state's forest products industry, which has historically been vital to Maine’s economy, particularly in shipbuilding and lumber. By the way, there are rumors that Georgia has more pine trees than Maine, but I could not source actual numbers concerning pine trees, only about forests in general.

  • The farmer holds a scythe, symbolizing Maine's agricultural traditions and the importance of farming to the state's economy and history. It signifies the hardworking rural communities that have shaped Maine's identity.

  • The seaman represents Maine’s maritime heritage and its long fishing, shipbuilding, and sea trade history. Maine’s coastline has been central to its economy and way of life, making the sea a critical part of its identity.

  • The North Star, along with the state motto "Dirigo" symbolizes guidance and leadership. The motto reflects Maine’s independent spirit and position as a guiding force, possibly referencing its role as a pioneer in statehood (Maine was the first state admitted to the Union after the original 13 colonies).

  • The dark blue background is standard among U.S. state flags, but it could symbolize Maine’s deep connection to the Atlantic Ocean and its expansive lakes and rivers.

The proposed flag, based on the original 1901 design, is much simpler and only consists of the pine tree and the North Star on a buff-colored background, a light tan or cream color, which may symbolize Maine’s natural landscapes and purity, emphasizing the state’s rugged, unspoiled beauty. What makes the proposed flag different than the original flag is that its design is primarily based on an Easter White Pine tree and that the tree has 16 branches to represent the 16 counties of Maine.

Credit: DevinCook via Wikimedia Commons (flag from 1901-1909, on the left), Hstoops - Own work, CCO (proposed flag, on the right)

I actually got upset when I heard about the proposed flag change, even though I wasn’t born in Maine. To me, the current flag symbolizes Maine perfectly.

If someone asks me about Maine, I tell them about the following:

  • The ocean and lakes, the lobstermen, the fishermen.

  • The massive number of trees, including pine trees. I can’t believe where I find pine tree needles at times.

  • The moose and that I still haven’t encountered one here in the wild (which I’m ok with, as they are MASSIVE, yes, massive with capital letters).

  • Maine’s potatoes and blueberries to pick two examples of the state’s agriculture.

  • The hummingbirds. Oh. My. Gosh. If you would have told me two years ago that I will ever see hummingbirds in the wild, I wouldn’t have believed it.

  • Oh, and I would definitely tell them about Needhams and Moxie and that both of them have their own festival. I’m sorry, but how cool is that?

I might not tell them about the North Star, though, as it doesn’t play a big role in my day-to-day life, but it holds a dear meaning to me as it was crucial for navigation in the northern hemisphere and indicates true north. And Maine is the northernmost state in the contiguous United States (and yes, I know, Alaska is the northernmost state overall).

If I had known about the proposed re-design, I would have proposed a more modernized version of the current flag, embracing every element it represents.

However, I understand that some Mainers want to move on to the more modern version of the 1901 design. Those Mainers argue that the proposed flag’s simpler design is more reflective of modern Maine and has a broader appeal. Some also call out that Maine memorabilia, such as coffee mugs, fridge magnets, or sweatshirts, already display the “new flag,” a pine tree, and the North Star.

May Polaris guide them!

So, the question in this election is not only about who will become the next president of the United States but also if Mainers want to stand up for the complexity of their state represented by their current flag and keep it or if they prefer to focus on just two elements of their heritage, the pine tree and the North Star. May the North Star guide them in their decision-making process!

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dKay in Maine
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