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The State Flag of Louisiana (Pelican State)

Louisiana entered the Union on April 30, 1812, as the 18th state. In 1861 it became a founding member of the Confederate States of America. The state economy was long dominated by agriculture. By the 1990s, however, exploitation of the stateís vast petroleum and natural-gas deposits had made Louisiana the second most important mineral-producing state in the U.S. Tourism was a rapidly growing sector of the economy, and manufacturing was also important. The stateís name derives from the former French territory which was named Louisiane by the French explorer Robert Cavelier, in honor of King Louis XIV.

The flag of Louisiana has a blue background "pelican in her piety," representing a mother pelican wounding her breast to feed her young from the blood. This symbol, emblematic of Christian charity, is to be found on the Louisiana state seal. On the flag it is depicted above a ribbon with the state motto: "Union, Justice, and Confidence."

Our version of this flag is made of light-weight polyester for durability and is 3' by 5'.