Go to Ann Arbor on a Saturday. You'll see it everywhere. It's not just a piece of fabric; the University of Michigan flag is basically a holy relic for anyone who has ever spent a freezing winter walking across the Diag or screamed their lungs out at the Big House. People fly it from their porches in suburban Detroit. They stick it on their boats in Traverse City. I’ve even seen a weathered, salt-crusted version of it hanging off a balcony in a random coastal town in Portugal.
Blue and Maize. That’s it. That’s the whole visual identity. But there’s a weird amount of history and specific etiquette baked into that simple design that most fans—honestly—just kind of ignore.
The Colors That Almost Weren't
Most people assume the colors on the University of Michigan flag have been there since the dawn of time. Not quite. Back in the mid-1800s, things were a bit of a mess. Students were basically just picking colors they liked for different events. It wasn't until 1867 that a group of students officially "decided" on Azure Blue and Maize.
But even then, they couldn't agree on what those colors actually looked like.
For decades, the "Maize" on the flag swung wildly between a pale lemon yellow and a deep, almost orange, gold. It was a disaster for consistency. If you look at old photos or physical flags from the early 1900s, the variations are staggering. It wasn't until the 1910s that the university finally sat everyone down and standardized the shades. They wanted a specific "M" that stood out, and they realized that if every flag looked different, the brand—even though they didn't call it a brand back then—was being diluted.
The blue is technically "Pantone 282." It's deep. It's moody. It’s meant to contrast sharply with the "Pantone 7406" maize. When you see a cheap knock-off University of Michigan flag at a gas station and the yellow looks like a highlighter pen, that’s why it feels "off" to a die-hard alum. Your brain knows the ratio is wrong.
What's Actually on the Flag?
You’d think this would be simple. It’s a block M, right?
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Well, usually. But there are actually a few different "official" versions floating around that serve different purposes. You have the standard institutional flag, which often features the University Seal. That seal is a whole thing on its own—featuring the sun rising over a shield, representing the light of knowledge. You'll mostly see that one at graduation ceremonies or hanging in the office of the President at Fleming Administration Building.
Then you have the athletic flag. This is the one you see the cheerleaders sprinting across the field with at Michigan Stadium. It’s the bold, unapologetic Block M.
- The Block M is weighted specifically.
- It doesn't use serifs.
- The "legs" of the M are slightly flared in a way that makes it look grounded.
If you look closely at a high-quality University of Michigan flag, you'll notice the M isn't just slapped in the middle. The proportions are mathematically tuned. If the M is too small, the flag looks empty. If it's too big, it feels aggressive. There’s a sweet spot that manufacturers have to hit to get licensed by the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC).
The Psychology of the Maize Out
Why do people care so much about waving this specific flag? It’s about signaling. When you hang a University of Michigan flag outside your house, you aren't just saying "I went to school here." You're signaling a specific set of values: academic rigor, a certain midwestern grit, and probably a very strong opinion about Jim Harbaugh or Sherrone Moore.
There's this concept in sociology called "costly signaling." Buying a high-quality, weather-resistant flag and maintaining it through a Michigan winter is a small but real commitment. It shows you're part of the "in-group." During a "Maize Out" game, when 100,000 people are wearing the colors of the flag, the individual disappears into a sea of blue and gold. It’s powerful. It’s also why the university is so protective of its trademarks. They know that the flag is the visual shorthand for a multi-billion dollar institution.
How to Not Look Like an Amateur When Flying It
If you’re going to fly the University of Michigan flag, there are some unwritten rules you should probably follow. Or don't. I'm not the flag police. But if you want to do it right, keep these things in mind.
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First, height matters. If you’re flying it on the same pole as the U.S. flag, the American flag must be on top. No exceptions. That’s federal law (the U.S. Flag Code), and Michigan fans are generally a pretty rule-following bunch. Usually, the Michigan flag should be slightly smaller than the American flag if they’re on the same pole.
Second, watch the fading. Maize is a notoriously difficult color to keep vibrant. The UV rays from the sun eat yellow pigment for breakfast. If your flag starts looking like a pale cream color, it’s time to retire it. A tattered flag is considered bad luck by some of the more superstitious fans in the Michigan message board community (looking at you, MGoBlog readers).
Where to Get a Real One
Don't buy the $8 version from a random pop-up site. You'll regret it when it shreds after the first November windstorm.
If you want the "real" deal, you're looking for "sewn" or "embroidered" flags rather than printed ones. Printed flags are basically just ink on polyester. They look flat. Sewn flags use different pieces of fabric for the blue background and the maize M. This gives the flag weight. It makes it "thwap" in the wind in a way that sounds satisfying.
The M-Den is the obvious choice for most fans, but local spots in Ann Arbor like Ulrich’s (rest in peace to the old location) or even some of the specialized flag shops in the Midwest often carry heavy-duty versions made of nylon or "Dura-Gloss." These materials are designed to handle the 40-degree rain that defines a late October afternoon in Washtenaw County.
Common Misconceptions and Flags You Should Avoid
I see a lot of flags that try to do too much. They'll have "Go Blue" written across the bottom in a weird font, or they'll try to incorporate the Wolverine mascot.
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Here’s the thing: The "official" Wolverine mascot is rarely used on the primary University of Michigan flag. Why? Because Michigan doesn't have a live mascot, and the cartoonish wolverine from the 60s and 70s is kind of a polarizing figure. Most purists believe the Block M should stand alone. If you see a flag with a giant, snarling wolverine on it, it’s usually considered "fan gear" rather than a formal university banner.
Also, be wary of the "divided house" flags. You know the ones—half Michigan, half Michigan State. Unless you actually enjoy starting arguments at Thanksgiving, these are generally seen as a bit of a gimmick. Pick a side.
The Impact of the Flag Beyond the Stadium
It’s easy to forget that this flag represents more than just a football team. Michigan is a top-tier research university. When a researcher at Michigan Medicine makes a breakthrough in cancer treatment, or when the engineering department lands a massive rover contract, that Block M is what they lead with.
I talked to an alum once who worked in a research lab in Antarctica. He brought a small University of Michigan flag with him and pinned it to the wall. He said it helped him feel connected to something bigger than his immediate, freezing environment. That’s the real power of a symbol. It’s a tether back to a place—to South University Ave, to the stacks in Hatcher Library, to the smell of Zingerman's.
Actionable Steps for the Proud Flag Owner
If you’ve decided it’s time to represent, don't just wing it. Here is the move:
- Check your hardware first. Most people buy a flag but forget that a rotating flagpole is the only way to prevent the "wrap-around" effect. There is nothing sadder than a University of Michigan flag tangled in a knot around a wooden stick.
- Go for the 3x5 size. It’s the standard. A 2x3 is too small for a house, and a 4x6 is basically a sail that will rip your mounting bracket off the wall during a thunderstorm.
- Look for "Double-Sided." A lot of cheap flags are "one-side-reverse," meaning the "M" reads correctly on one side but is backwards on the other. It looks cheap. Spend the extra $20 for a double-sided flag where the M is readable from both directions.
- The "Hand-Wash" Rule. If your flag gets muddy after a tailgate, don't just throw it in the heavy-duty wash cycle. Use a bucket with some mild detergent and air dry it. The agitation of a washing machine can fray the edges of the embroidery.
- Retire it properly. When the edges start to "fringe" (the technical term for fraying), it’s done. In the world of flags, a damaged symbol is worse than no symbol at all. Many VFW posts or scout troops will actually take old flags—even university ones—to dispose of them respectfully if they are made of high-quality materials.
The University of Michigan flag is one of those rare symbols that actually means something to people decades after they’ve left the place it represents. Whether it’s hanging in a dorm room or flying over a massive estate in Bloomfield Hills, it’s a constant. It’s a bit of Maize and Blue in a world that is usually just grey.
Treat it with a bit of respect, get the colors right, and for heaven's sake, make sure the M is facing the right way.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
If you are looking to purchase a flag for the upcoming season, verify the "Officially Licensed" hologram on the packaging to ensure your purchase supports the university's scholarship funds. For those interested in the deeper vexillology (the study of flags) of Michigan, the Bentley Historical Library holds the original records and early prototypes of the university's visual identity. You can actually visit their digital archives to see how the "M" has evolved since the 19th century.