In 2004, the North American Vexillological Association, NAVA, conducted The American City Flag Survey to rate the flag designs of 150 U.S. cities. Following are the top city flags in the United States according to the survey:
1. Washington, DC
Adopted in 1938, the design was based on George Washington’s coat of arms.
2. Chicago, Illinois
Adopted in 1917, the flag was redesigned to add a star in 1933, and again in 1939. The white stripes represent the North, South and West sides of the city. The top blue stripe represents Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, north branch. The bottom blue stripe represents the Chicago River, south branch, and the Great Canal. The four stars represent Fort Dearborn, the great Chicago fire of 1871, The 1893 World Columbia Exposition, the 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition. The star’s six points symbolize transportation, labor, commerce, finance, populousness, and salubrity.
3. Denver, Colorado
Denver adopted an official city flag in 1926. The Centered circle represents the city’s central location in the state. Red represents the color of the earth, yellow the gold in the hills, and the white zigzag, the state’s Native American heritage.
4. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix adopted this current, redesigned city flag in 1990. It features a phoenix, the mythological bird which is also the official logo of Phoenix.
5. St. Louis, Missouri
The St. Louis flag was adopted in 1964. The colors represent Spain (red, yellow and gold), Bourbon France (white and gold), Napoleonic and Republican France (blue, white and red), and U.S. (red, white and blue). The Fleur-de-lis symbol represents the cities French background, and the person the city was named for, St. Louis of France. The golden disk represents the Louisiana Purchase, and the wavy bars symbolize the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
6. Wichita, Kansas
The Wichita city flag was officially established in 1937. The blue circle represents faithfulness, happiness and contentment. The red rays represent honor and virtue, the white rays, courage and paths to freedom. The Native American sun design inside the blue orb symbolizes permanent home.
7. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s current flag design was adopted in 2002. The blue lines represent the Willamette and Columbia rivers. The gold borders represent commerce, and growing grain along the river banks, and the green represents forests.
8. Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis’ current redesigned flag was officially adopted in 1963. The dark blue quadrants represent the city’s residential areas. Red represents a driving urge for progress. The star symbolizes the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument, with the stars central location representing the city’s status as capital of Indiana. The white stripes represent the city’s main downtown streets, and is also said to represent its unofficial motto “Crossroads of America.”
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