Over 1800 Designs Submitted for New Mississippi Flag

What makes a good flag? Well, I think a good flag, like a good logo, can be recognized from a distance. It also should be fairly simple to replicate. Oh, if it carries a nice theme or emblem that instantly connects the flag with the people or place it's supposed to represent, then that's a good thing too.

The State of Mississippi is currently in the market for a new flag. The former state flag, often condemned as having racist overtones was retired earlier this year. So, the hunt for a new symbol of a "new" Mississippi is on. So far, more than 1,800 submissions have been made to the state's Department of Archives and History.

In fact, that department just ended the submission period for new designs for a state flag this past Saturday. Later today, they are supposed to display some of the designs that met the state's requirements for a new flag.

In case you were wondering what those requirements were, well, here they are according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History website.

Criteria

1. Only unique flag design submissions that include the words “In God We Trust” will be considered by the nine-member commission. Flag descriptions will not be considered.
2. The new flag design cannot include the Confederate battle flag.
3. Flag design submissions must adhere to principles of the North American Vexillological Association:
   • Keep It Simple. The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.
   • Use Meaningful Symbolism. The flag’s images, color, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.
   • Use Two or Three Basic Colors.
   • Be Distinctive or Be Related.

A nine-member commission has been appointed by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, and House Speaker Philip Gunn to choose a new flag for the state. Each of those individuals appointed three members to the panel. So, there should be a well-rounded representation of opinions leading to a final selection.

By the way, the deadline for the commission to choose a new design for new flag will be September 14th. From there the design will need to be approved before it can become the official symbol of the state.