What Is the Official Appalachian Flag?
Although there isn't an official Appalachian flag, several have been created in recent years—with one design likely to resonate with people who value pluralism and inclusion.
Flags are obviously important culturally and politically, for better or worse. Flags evoke complicated emotions. They’re also messy signifiers, as well.
Still.
Whether we’re eager to leave behind regressive politics or want a symbol to rally folks around a new identity, flags serve as vital imagery for galvanizing consciousness toward particular goals.
That’s why I believe many of the values and aspirations championed at Common Appalachian would be further energized by the proliferation of a flag that represents much of that same spirit.
Unfortunately, Appalachia doesn’t have an official flag.
Notions of Appalachia have been around for more than two centuries—at least since our so-called “backwoods” forebearers wanted to distinguish themselves from the typically wealthier or perceived-to-be-elitist European settlers living in the tidewater and lowland regions of the United States. (To say little of the indigenous roots of Appalachia’s etymology.)
Still, no official flag has ever been created. How does a cultural region even go about declaring an “official” flag, anyways?
Flags are profound catalysts for change because they’re prominent markers intended to reflect a lot of meaning with limited amounts of ink or cloth.
Without evocative iconography, social energy remains fragmented, unfocused, and easy to ignore.
Appalachian Flag Designs Available to Us
We need not enlist well-funded organizations or political bodies to commission the design of an official Appalachian flag, however.
In fact, organic efforts have led to the creation of several Appalachian flag designs in recent years. It’s possible others have come up with their own concept for an Appalachian flag in the 1900s, or earlier, but I’ve only ever been able to find those conceived in the twenty-first century.
An online search for Appalachian flags will most consistently produce one of the following results:
Appalachian Alliance flag: designed by Secundino Fernandez, it was introduced in 2013 by the Appalachian Alliance, a grassroots cooperative working towards supporting Appalachian regional identity.
Appalachian Alliance offers the following interpretation of its flag design:
Blue = sky, unlimited vision, and potential.
Brown/Red = earth, hard work, and deep roots, along with the blood and sweat of its people.
White Star = purity and guiding light to a rising future.
Green = triangle at the hoist signifying growth (natural and human) with the Star on its way up the side of the slope, the slope signifying the hilly profile of Appalachia.
Appalachian Glory/Tennessee Jed flag: created by an Appalachian artist known as Tennessee Jed, and sometimes called the Appalachian Glory flag, it is inspired by the Appalachian Regional Commission logo and meant to symbolize the natural beauty and diversity of the region.
Appalachian Flag Co. flag: dreamed up by Grayson and Gaby Hicks in 2015, they “set out to create a timeless symbol that tells the story of Appalachia.” The Hicks offer the following interpretation of their Appalachian flag:
“. . . green for the rolling hills and thick forests, blue for the vital crystal waters, a white star for each state that these hills touch, gray for the mystic, blanketing fogs, a dignified scroll proclaiming our name, and last but not least, our black bear. He captures the spirit of power, freedom, and ingenuity of the Appalachian people (we still love you, salamanders). Our dream is that this flag will reach the home, heart, and porch of every Appalachian, uniting us all as one.”
Appalachian Flag Initiative flag: perhaps the most developed and collaborative, its design was finalized in 2023, following a comparatively extensive iteration process. It was chosen from among a set of six potential designs voted on by more than 300 participates from various Appalachian social media groups.
Basically, a crowdsourced design job, motivated by a love of our bioregion.
As you might imagine, its design elements have also been thoroughly outlined, based on continuous discussions among participants:
The navy blue reflects the hue of the “distant ridgelines that rest on the horizon while traveling through Appalachia.”
Green represents the rich forests found in this ancient mountainous region.
Gold refers to the “morning sun” and suggests “a bright future for those who reside in these hills.”
The off-white of the quilt star, also called the Tamarack star, derives from “the color of cloth, indicative of a blank canvas from which each Appalachian may draw their own colorful story.”
As a whole, the design captures “the beautiful mountain landscape that is distinctly unique to the Appalachian region.”
The quilt star hearkens to the arts and crafts endemic to the region, while calling attention to “the diverse array of cultures, faces, and backgrounds in the Appalachian people.”
Although Appalachia’s mountains tend to be rounder, the jagged peaks “are meant to convey a stronger symbol of mountains and match the quilt star’s geometry.”
The fragmented colors also serve as an analogy of quilting, “a common craft that can be found throughout Appalachia.”
The Appalachian Flag initiative flag is also noteworthy for the visual elements deliberated avoided in its design.
In an attempt to reflect the pluralistic and inclusive aspirations of the region, you’ll notice no direct cues regarding ethnicity or race. Its designers wanted to demonstrate that “Appalachia still is a constantly changing region with many different faces, each contributing to our region’s culture and identity in their own unique way.”
One could call attention to some of the ethnic groups that have historically dominated the region, but designers wanted a flag “that unites all of us: the mountains that we call home.”
Furthermore, this flag intentionally left out overtly political imagery and references to economic activities in order to avoid being “divisive” or enshrining what is considered “spotted history for many Appalachians.”
Choosing an “Official” Appalachian Flag
Several other flags have been thrown around online, very few materializing or gaining perceivable cultural momentum. I’ve chosen these four because they either show up most consistently on the interwebs, have some semblance of organizational backing, or can be purchased from online stores.
So how does one choose which flag to support and represent their bioregion?
Well, while aesthetics admittedly played a significant role, I’ve ultimately thrown my support behind the Appalachian Flag Initiative flag (at least, for now, anyways). It not only has design strengths reflecting a respect for tradition and an openness toward the future, but it champions many values held dear at Common Appalachian.
Inclusion. Pluralism. Place. Stewardship. Biodiversity. Equality.
In fact, I’ve recently purchased my own, which I plan to proudly display and share with others at an aptly named “Flag Day Fest,” where all invitees are encouraged to bring their favorite flag. I’m not typically one to fly a flag, but I don’t mind displaying one among friends, or on the wall inside my own home.
And what better time to increase awareness about Appalachian identity than at a gathering of families and friends in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
So, while there isn’t significant cultural support for any particular Appalachian flag design (yet), I’m eager to help bolster the presence of the Appalachian Flag Initiative’s design in my neck of the indigo-hued woods.
Perhaps, as more of us recognize the decline in community and rootedness in mainstream American culture, more will turn their hearts toward Appalachia and her blessed mountains.
On the other hand, maybe that’s too much to ask of several square feet of fabric.
Hurray for the Flag Day Fest call-out—thanks!