The English Red Ensign, the first flag flown by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In use from 1620–1708.
A variant red ensign commonly used in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Saint George's Cross was removed for religious reasons. In use primarily from 1634–1686. [17] 
The personal standard of Edmund Andros, used as flag of the Dominion of New England. Flown over Boston from 1686–1689 until the Boston Revolt.
A flag (and ensign) of New England, used by merchant ships sailing out of New England ports. In use 1686–1775. [17] [18] 
Flown by the Province of Massachusetts Bay after the 1707 Acts of Union. The Flag of Great Britain replaces the English flag in the canton. In use 1708–1775.
Variant of the New England variant of the red ensign, redesigned to incorporate the Union Flag. In use 1708–1775.
Flag of New England with the British symbols removed from the canton. [19] In use as a flag of New England 1775–present.
This Pine Tree Flag variant was the first flag adopted by the State of Massachusetts after independence. In use from 1775–1780 as the state flag, and until 1971 as the official Massachusetts naval flag.
Reverse side of the flag of Massachusetts from 1908–1971.
 | |
| Use | Civil and state flag    |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Adopted | July 3, 1971 |
| Design | A state coat of arms on a white field. |
| Flag of the governor of Massachusetts | |
 | |
| Design | State flag in the form of a pennant. |
| Massachusetts ensign | |
 | |
| Use | Naval ensign  |
| Adopted | 1971 |
| Design | A green tree on a white field. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been represented by official but limited-purpose flags since 1676, though until 1908 it had no state flag per se to represent its government. A variant of the white flag with blue seal was carried by each of the Massachusetts volunteer regiments during the American Civil War alongside the National Colors. An exception were the two "Irish regiments" (the 9th and 28th Volunteers), each of which was permitted to carry an alternative green flag with a harp symbol.
Contents
- State flag
- Attempts to change the flag
- Historical and related flags
- Naval and maritime flag
- See also
- References
- External links
The state currently has three official flags: a state flag, a governor's flag, and a "naval and maritime flag" (despite it no longer having its own naval militia). With Florida, it is one of only two state flags to prominently feature a Native American in its heraldry. In 2001, a survey conducted by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) placed Massachusetts's state flag 38th in design quality out of 72 flags (U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial). [1]
In early 2021, then-Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill to change the state flag and seal. As of 2022, the redesign was not complete and the commission asked to extend the deadline to 2023.[ citation needed ] In 2023 the commission concluded without recommending specific replacements for either flag or seal, though the commission's co-chair Brian Boyles stated that he and his colleagues had made significant progress on the issue. [2]
