You see it everywhere. It's on porches, bumper stickers, and government buildings. We think we know it. But honestly, if you ask the average person on the street "what do the stripes on the American flag mean," you usually get a half-mumbled answer about the original colonies. They aren't wrong, of course. That's the textbook answer. But the stripes are more than just a history lesson in red and white; they represent a specific kind of architectural intent for a country that, at the time, wasn't even sure it would survive the week.
There are thirteen of them. Seven red. Six white. They aren't just decorative.
When the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution on June 14, 1777, they were remarkably vague. They basically said the flag should have thirteen stripes, alternating red and white, and a union of thirteen stars, white in a blue field. That’s it. They didn't even specify if the stripes should be horizontal or vertical, though horizontal became the standard almost immediately. It’s kinda wild how much of our national identity was left up to "we'll figure it out as we go."
Why Thirteen? The Weight of the Colonies
The most direct answer to what do the stripes on the American flag mean is the representation of the original thirteen colonies. These were the rebels. The risk-takers. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Each stripe is a permanent nod to the foundations of the house. You can’t take them away. Even as the U.S. expanded across the continent, hitting fifty states, the stripes stayed at thirteen. It’s a visual anchor.
Interestingly, there was a brief period where we actually added stripes. When Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union, the flag changed to 15 stripes and 15 stars. This was the "Star-Spangled Banner" that Francis Scott Key saw over Fort McHenry. But leadership quickly realized that if they kept adding a stripe for every new state, the flag would eventually look like a pinstripe suit. It would be a mess. So, in 1818, Congress decided to revert to the thirteen stripes and just add stars for new states. It was a practical move, but it also solidified the stripes as a symbol of origin rather than current status.
The Psychology of Red and White
Why red? Why white?
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People often get this mixed up with the Great Seal of the United States. Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Continental Congress, had a lot to say about colors when designing the Seal. He noted that white signifies purity and innocence. Red represents hardiness and valor. Blue—the color of the "union" where the stars live—stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
It's important to realize that the flag itself wasn't officially given these meanings in 1777. The meanings were technically for the Seal. But over the centuries, the two have merged in the public consciousness. Now, when we look at those red stripes, we see the blood spilled for independence. We see the grit. When we see the white, we see the ideal of a "clean slate," a new nation trying to do things differently than the old world.
Think about the visual impact. Alternating red and white creates a high-contrast pattern that is visible from a long distance. In the 18th century, this was crucial for naval warfare. You needed to know, through the smoke of cannons and the spray of salt water, exactly who was sailing toward you. The stripes weren't just symbolic; they were functional technology.
The Grand Union Flag: The Identity Crisis
Before the Stars and Stripes, we had the Grand Union Flag. This one is fascinating because it shows the awkward transition of a colony becoming a nation. It had the thirteen red and white stripes, but the corner—the canton—had the British Union Jack.
It was basically the colonies saying, "We’re still somewhat connected, but we’re starting to look different."
When George Washington’s army saw it, some British observers actually thought it was a signal of surrender because it looked so much like the British colors. This confusion is likely why we swapped the Union Jack for the stars. The stripes survived the transition, though. They were the one part of the identity that the founders felt was truly theirs. They represented the collective group of people standing together.
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Common Misconceptions and Flag Etiquette
People get weirdly intense about the flag, and for good reason. It’s a powerful symbol. But there are a few things people get wrong about the stripes.
For one, there is no "correct" stripe that represents a specific colony. There isn't a "Virginia stripe" or a "New York stripe." They represent the colonies as a collective unit.
Also, the layout matters. According to the U.S. Flag Code, when the flag is displayed against a wall, the union (the blue part) should be at the top and to the observer’s left. This means the stripes run horizontally. If you hang it vertically, the stripes should still result in the union being at the top left.
And then there's the "Thin Blue Line" or "Thin Red Line" flags. These are variations, but they aren't the official United States flag. From a strictly historical and legal standpoint, the stripes must be red and white. Any variation is a different symbol entirely, used to represent specific subgroups like police or firefighters. While they use the "template" of the flag, they change the core meaning of what those stripes represent.
What the Stripes Mean for Us Today
In 2026, the flag feels different than it did in 1776, or even 1945. It’s become a lightning rod for political expression. But the stripes remain the most "human" part of the flag. The stars represent the states—the legal entities, the borders, the governments. But the stripes represent the original group of people who decided to try an experiment in self-governance.
They represent the struggle.
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The white stripes are the gaps—the peace, the pauses, the moments of clarity. The red stripes are the action. It's a rhythm.
When you really dig into what do the stripes on the American flag mean, you find a story of resilience. They remind us that the country started small. It started with thirteen diverse, often bickering colonies that found a reason to line up together.
How to Properly Respect the Symbolism
If you're going to fly the flag, or even just use the imagery, it helps to know the "Rules of the Road." It’s not just about the meaning; it’s about the stewardship of that meaning.
- Illumination: If you fly the flag at night, it needs to be lit. The stripes shouldn't be lost in the dark.
- Weathering: If the stripes start to fray or the white turns a dingy grey from pollution, it’s time to retire the flag. Most American Legion posts will take old flags and dispose of them properly via a ceremonial burning.
- Positioning: Never let the stripes touch the ground. It’s not just a superstition; it’s a sign of respect for what those thirteen colonies endured.
The stripes are the heartbeat of the design. Without them, the stars are just floating in a blue void. The stripes provide the structure. They provide the history. They remind us that before we were a global superpower, we were thirteen entities trying to find a way to exist on the same piece of cloth.
Next Steps for the History Buff
If you're curious about the evolution of American symbols, you should look into the specific history of the "Flag Acts." There were three major ones.
First, check out the Flag Act of 1777, which was the "First Flag Act." Then, look at the Act of 1794, which added the two stripes for Vermont and Kentucky. Finally, read the Flag Act of 1818. That last one is the most important because it’s why the flag looks the way it does now. It’s the reason we have exactly thirteen stripes today, regardless of how many stars we add. Understanding these legislative tweaks gives you a much better perspective on how the U.S. views its own history—as a balance between where we started and where we are going.