Alabama State Flag History: From Secession Banner to Crimson Cross of St. Andrew

November 13, 2025

If you drove through Alabama tomorrow and saw the state flag flying—a bold red “X” on a bright white field—would you know what story it’s telling?

Most people recognize the Alabama state flag, but far fewer know why it looks that way, where it came from, or what it says about the state’s complicated past. Behind that simple crimson cross lies a tale of secession, Civil War, reconstruction, and a long-running debate over identity and symbolism.

At Tidmore Flags, we help customers find the right flags for their homes, schools, churches, and businesses—but we also believe your flag should mean something to you. So let’s dig into the full history of the Alabama state flag: the what, how, where, and why behind one of America’s most deceptively simple designs.

“Independent Now and Forever”: Alabama’s First State Flag in 1861

Long before Alabama adopted the familiar crimson saltire in 1895, the state flew a completely different banner—one that looked more like a painting than a modern flag.

On January 11, 1861, as Alabama seceded from the Union, the Secession Convention in Montgomery approved an official flag designed by a group of local women. It’s often called the Republic of Alabama Flag, and it was as dramatic as the moment it represented.

Obverse side:

A richly detailed Goddess of Liberty
In her right hand, an unsheathed sword
In her left hand, a small blue flag with a single gold star
Above her, in bold letters: “ALABAMA”
Arched around her: the motto “Independent Now and Forever”

Reverse side:

A cotton plant—a nod to the state’s agricultural backbone
A coiled rattlesnake, ready to strike
Beneath it, the Latin phrase “Noli Me Tangere” (meaning “Touch Me Not”)

You can almost picture it flying over the state capitol: a declaration of independence, defiance, and Southern identity all rolled into one cloth.

But nature had other plans. The flag flew only a few weeks. By February 10, 1861, severe weather had damaged it so badly that it was taken down, moved to the governor’s office, and never flown again.

That short-lived design still echoes today—it appears on the flag of Mobile, Alabama—but it was never meant to be a permanent statewide symbol.

Story Time: A Storm, a Flag, and a Vanishing Symbol

Imagine standing in downtown Montgomery in early 1861.

A cold wind is tearing through the streets. The newly adopted Republic of Alabama Flag whips and snaps above the capitol dome. The Goddess of Liberty glints in the pale winter light; the rattlesnake on the reverse looks almost alive as the cloth folds and twists in the gusts.

At first, people are proud. This is their flag—proof that Alabama is now independent and charting its own path.

But as the storm worsens, the fabric begins to fray. A corner rips. The bright imagery darkens under rain and grime. Within just a month, the banner that was supposed to proclaim “Independent Now and Forever” is battered beyond repair.

When the flag finally comes down on February 10, 1861, it doesn’t go back up.

The symbol of independence is quietly moved indoors, into the governor’s office. Outside, Alabama’s story continues—but its first state flag becomes a relic, not a lasting emblem.

That moment foreshadows a key theme in Alabama state flag history: big gestures, bold symbolism, and then a search for something more stable and enduring.

From Confederacy to Simplicity: The Path to the 1895 Alabama Flag

After secession, Alabama flags changed with the times:

1861–1865: Variants of the First or Second National Flag of the Confederacy flew over Montgomery during the Civil War.
After 1865: With the Confederacy defeated, the United States flag returned as the default banner at official events.

Yet beneath the surface, many Alabamians still wanted a unique state symbol—a flag that wasn’t just federal or Confederate, but distinctly Alabama.

That brings us to Act Number 383, passed by the Alabama Legislature on February 16, 1895.

The law was short but powerful. It established what we now know as the Alabama state flag, stating:

“The flag of the State of Alabama shall be a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a field of white. The bars forming the cross shall be not less than six inches broad, and must extend diagonally across the flag from side to side.”

A few key things about this 1895 act:

It never specified whether the flag should be square or rectangular.
It focused instead on the width of the bars (no less than six inches) and their diagonal placement from corner to corner.
The cross is described as a “Cross of St. Andrew”, even though, historically, the Scottish Cross of St. Andrew is a white saltire on a blue field.

Still, the crimson X on white was simple, bold, and easy to recognize—perfect flag material.

What Exactly Is on the Alabama Flag? Understanding the Crimson Saltire

The red “X” on the Alabama flag is a type of cross called a saltire—a diagonal cross that runs from corner to corner, meeting in the center of the flag.

In simple terms:

A saltire is the general name for this kind of diagonal cross.
The Cross of St. Andrew is a specific saltire associated with Saint Andrew, usually white on blue (as in the Scottish flag).
On the Alabama state flag, the cross is crimson on white, but it’s still officially called a Cross of St. Andrew in the law.

From a vexillology (flag-study) perspective, the Alabama flag is:

Clean and minimal
Highly visible from a distance
Easy to reproduce in various sizes—although technically, very small versions don’t meet the legal requirement that the bars be at least six inches wide

If you’ve ever admired how crisp and striking the Alabama flag looks on a pole in front of a courthouse, school, or home, the simple saltire is a big reason why.

Timeline: Key Moments in Alabama State Flag History

Here’s a quick timeline list to put everything in order:

January 11, 1861 – Secession Convention in Montgomery adopts the elaborate Republic of Alabama flag with the Goddess of Liberty and “Independent Now and Forever.”
February 10, 1861 – That flag is taken down after storm damage and never flown again.
1861–1865 – Confederate national flags fly over Alabama during the Civil War.
Post-1865 – The United States flag returns to prominence during Reconstruction and beyond.
February 16, 1895 – Act 383 establishes the current Alabama state flag: a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a white field, bars at least six inches wide.
Early 1900s – Discussions arise about adding stars to the flag, which would make it more closely resemble the Confederate battle flag; the flag ultimately remains unchanged.
1939 – Alabama adopts a state coat of arms that includes the Confederate battle flag alongside flags of other historical powers (France, Spain, Great Britain, the U.S.). The state also restores its original seal with a map of Alabama and its rivers, replacing the Reconstruction-era eagle and U.S. shield.
Late 20th–21st century – Debate continues about whether the flag celebrates Confederate heritage, Spanish colonial history, or simply a bold, abstract design.

Was the Alabama Flag Meant to Echo the Confederate Battle Flag?

Here’s where things get really interesting—and a bit controversial.

No official legislative record from 1895 explicitly says, “We’re designing this flag to honor the Confederacy.” But many later voices, both contemporaries and historians, have argued exactly that.

Dr. Thomas Owen’s Conclusion

Dr. Thomas Owen, head of the Alabama Department of Archives and History in the early 1900s, dug into the origins of the 1895 flag. While preparing the 1915 Alabama Official and Statistical Register, he interviewed people who had been alive when the bill was introduced.

His conclusion?

The St. Andrew’s cross was intended to “preserve in permanent form some of the more recognizable aspects of the Confederate battle flag.”
Based on the army regulations for certain Confederate battle flags, he believed the Alabama flag should ideally be square.

However:

Many Civil War-era battle flags didn’t strictly follow those regulations.
Rectangular St. Andrew’s Cross flags were common, especially in the Army of Tennessee.
Early printed depictions of the Alabama flag after 1895 showed it as rectangular, which helped normalize that shape.

Lost Cause Era and Symbolic Choices

The 1895 adoption of the flag happened during a period when many former Confederate states were:

Promoting the “Lost Cause” narrative
Passing laws that disenfranchised African Americans and established Jim Crow
Adopting or revising flags to highlight Southern identity (Mississippi and Florida, for example, also locked in new flags around this time)

Later, in 1939, Alabama’s coat of arms was designed to include the Confederate battle flag—alongside the flags of Spain, France, Great Britain, and the United States—further underlining how important the Confederate symbol was to the state’s chosen identity at that time.

The Cross of Burgundy Theory

There’s another theory too: that the Alabama flag resembles the Spanish Cross of Burgundy, a red saltire used by the Spanish Empire. Parts of what is now Alabama were once under Spanish rule, and the two flags do look strikingly similar.

Some historians think this could be coincidental; others see it as a plausible alternative influence.

Modern Perspective: Still No Definitive Answer

More recent commentators point out that:

The legislative record doesn’t spell out a clear intent.
Some state historians argue that the connection to the Confederate battle flag, while possible, isn’t definitively proven.
It’s entirely possible that the designer—Representative John W. A. Sanford Jr.—was influenced by multiple sources: his father’s Confederate regimental flag, broader Southern symbolism, and the practical appeal of a simple saltire.

So, was the Alabama state flag designed to echo the Confederate battle flag?

Most likely in part, yes—but with layers of meaning and some ambiguity that persist to this day.

Fun Facts About the Alabama State Flag

Want some quick hits to share at your next trivia night or classroom presentation?

Design Ranking: The North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) once ranked Alabama’s flag 52nd out of 72 U.S. state, territorial, and Canadian provincial flags in terms of design quality.
Not Always Rectangular: Debate over whether the flag should be square or rectangular has gone on for decades. A 1987 opinion from the Alabama Attorney General’s office said the proper shape is rectangular, partly because that’s how it’s usually shown in official publications.
Governor’s Flag: The Alabama Governor’s flag is based on the state flag. It features the same crimson Cross of St. Andrew on white, but adds the state coat of arms at the top and a military crest at the bottom.
Earlier Double-Sided Flag: Alabama’s early 1861 flag was double-sided, highly detailed, and more like a ceremonial painting than a modern flag. It featured the Goddess of Liberty on one side and a rattlesnake and cotton on the other.
Legally Thick Bars: By law, the saltire’s bars must be at least six inches wide, making tiny printed flags technically non-compliant—though in practice, mini flags are common.

FAQ: Alabama State Flag History & Meaning

1. What does the Alabama state flag symbolize?

The official law doesn’t explain the symbolism. However:

Many historians believe the saltire (Cross of St. Andrew) was meant to preserve elements of the Confederate battle flag, especially the diagonal cross.
Others note its resemblance to the Spanish Cross of Burgundy, reflecting Alabama’s colonial past.
At a basic level, the crimson saltire on white has become a symbol of Alabama’s distinct identity—simple, bold, and instantly recognizable.

2. Who designed the current Alabama flag?

The design was laid out by Representative John W. A. Sanford Jr., who introduced the 1895 bill. He specified:

A crimson Cross of St. Andrew
A white field
Bars that must be at least six inches wide and stretch diagonally across the flag

Family stories and later commentary suggest Sanford drew inspiration from the battle flag of his father’s regiment, which fought for the Confederacy.

3. Why is there confusion about the flag’s shape?

Because the original act never stated whether the flag should be square or rectangular. Early:

Dr. Thomas Owen interpreted it as square, based on certain Confederate flag regulations.
However, many Civil War flags weren’t square, and early printed versions of the Alabama flag showed it as rectangular.
In 1987, the Alabama Attorney General’s office said the flag should be considered rectangular, matching how it’s commonly used.

4. Is the Alabama state flag controversial?

Like many symbols with ties to the Confederacy, the flag sparks debate:

Some view it as a state pride symbol with historical roots.
Others see the Confederate connections—especially given the time of its adoption and later inclusion of the Confederate battle flag in the coat of arms—as problematic.
The flag has not been officially changed, and its meaning continues to be interpreted through the lens of Alabama’s broader history.

5. Can I fly the Alabama state flag with the U.S. flag?

Yes—many homes, schools, and businesses do. Standard etiquette is:

The U.S. flag should always take the place of honor (usually higher or to the observer’s left).
The Alabama state flag can be flown beneath or alongside it, following proper U.S. Flag Code and state flag etiquette.

Ready to Fly the Alabama Flag with Pride?

Whether you connect with the Alabama state flag as a symbol of heritage, geography, or simply home, it carries a long and layered story—from the dramatic paintings of secession-era banners to the clean, crimson saltire we know today.

If you’re ready to bring that story to your front porch, school, or business:

Choose from high-quality Alabama state flags in durable outdoor nylon or polyester
Pair it with a U.S. flag and proper flagpole hardware to display both with respect
Explore indoor and presentation sets for ceremonies, government buildings, churches, and more

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