The Municipal Flag of Chicago
The Municipal Flag of Chicago consists of 3 White stripes separated by two
stripes of Blue with four Red six-pointed stars on the center stripe of White:
The 3 White stripes:
- Top White Stripe represents the North side of the city.
- Center White Stripe represents the West side of the city.
- Bottom White Stripe represents the South side of the city.
The 2 Blue stripes:
- Top Blue stripe represents Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the
Chicago River.
- Bottom Blue stripe represents the South Branch of the Chicago River and the
Great Canal.
The 4 Red stars on the Center White Stripes represent something as well as
each of the points on the stars themselves:
- The First Red Star represents Fort Dearborn (added in 1939).
The Points of the First Red Star Signify:
- transportation
- labor
- commerce
- finance
- populousness
- salubrity
- The Second Red Star represents the Chicago Fire of October 8-10, 1871.
The Points of the Second Red Star Signify:
- religion
- education
- esthetics
- justice
- beneficence
- civic pride
- The Third Red Star represents the World's Columbian Exposition of
1893.
The Points of the Third Red Star Signify History of the Area:
- France 1693
- Great Britain 1763
- Virginia 1778
- Northwest Territory 1798
- Indian Territory 1802
- Illinois Statehood 1818
- The Fourth Red Star represents the Century of Progress Exposition of
1933 (added in 1933).
The Points of the Fourth Red Star Signify:
- World's Third Largest City
- City's Latin Motto
- I will Motto
- Great Central Market
- Wonder City
- Convention City