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Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the state in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the state?
It takes a lot more than a flag to define a state. However, Maine’s flag is not distinctive. It is one of more than a dozen state flags to feature the state seal on a blue background. Boring.
This year, Maine voters have an opportunity to choose a new state flag. They should.
Frankly, the state seal, which features a farmer, a sailor, a pine tree, a moose and the state motto Dirigo, could use some updating. Maybe to include a woman, or a person who is not white. Perhaps, the moose shouldn’t be lying down.
Setting these critiques aside, however, putting the state seal on a flag is not original. It also runs afoul of the somewhat loose rules of vexillology (the study of flags, a new term some of us journalists learned while writing about the new flag campaign).
First, no letters or seals. Maine’s flag fails that one.
Be distinctive. No on that one. More than half the state’s simply put their state seal on a flag, most of them on a blue background.
Use two or three basic colors. Nope.
Keep it so simple that a child can draw it from memory. Unlikely.
The current flag does meet the final criteria of using meaningful imagery, although that imagery feels outdated.
The proposed new Maine flag, a pine tree on a buff background with a blue star in the left corner, meets all the preferred vexillology guidelines. And, it comes with a bit of history. It is similar to the flag that was used in Maine from 1901 to 1909. It was the first flag to be used statewide. It is unclear why lawmakers changed to the current flag in 1909.
A version of the pine tree flag already appears on merchandise from hats to dog collars to tote bags. It will soon be on many Maine license plates.
This unofficial Maine flag, which has been gaining in popularity over the last few years, is likely more recognizable as a symbol of the Pine Tree State than our official flag.
Popularity itself is not enough reason to change the flag, but in this case we think all those people snapping up merchandise emblazoned with the pine tree flag are sending a message: The pine tree flag is a better representation of our great state than its current, nondescript flag.
There isn’t expected to be a cost to the state associated with the change, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said, because the state would swap the old flag at state buildings and facilities for a new one when the old one deteriorates. Towns are likely to do the same.
Beyond cost, however, we are a bit dismayed by the amount of time and energy that has been put into flag debate, particularly by state lawmakers. Rather than make the decision themselves, lawmakers toyed with the idea of a commission to study a new flag before deciding to put the issue to Maine voters. They tasked Bellows with finding a design to put to the voters. She did so through a contest that resulted in more than 400 entries, not all of them serious or in line with the state’s strict guidelines.
The winning design, which is somewhat different from the simplistic design on the 1901 flag, was by Adam Lemire, a designer and architect from Gardiner. He modeled the tree after an eastern white pine he and he son pass on their walks in an arboretum in Augusta. The tree has 16 branches to represent the state’s 16 counties, which is a nice touch.
Now, it is time for Mainers to decide. We don’t love the amount of time spent on this debate, when there are so many other pressing issues to be addressed. However, we suggest following the recommendations of vexillologists and casting a vote for the pine tree flag on Question 5.
Election notice: The BDN will stop accepting letters and columns related to the Nov. 5 election on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Not all submissions can be published.