Is The Montana State Flag In Need Of A Redesign?

Do You Like Montana's Flag Design?

A while back Montana public radio was talking about whether it was time to redesign the state flag.

While they didn't come to a definitive answer, I thought it did pose a good question: Is it time for the Montana state flag to be redesigned?

Why Is Montana's Flag "Bad?"

While we in Montana all probably love our state flag, most people don't. In 2001 the North American Vexillological Association, or NAVA, conducted a poll in which it ranked Montana's state flag as the 3rd worst. There are a few reasons for this; the biggest reason is this:

A flag's primary purpose is to be recognized from a distance. That means few colors, no lettering and a clear distinction from other flags. Ideally, it should be simple enough for a child to draw it from memory.

Montana's flag is none of that. It has writing on it, the state seal is there, and then there is also the state motto. I think the state seal is fantastic, as is the motto, but it would be hard for a child to draw that from memory.

How Do We Improve Our Flag?

Plus, another thing that was pointed out in the discussion was that having "MONTANA" on the flag meant that depending on which way the wind is blowing, or which side you're looking at the flag, it says "ANATNOM." I would guess that is why they suggest no lettering on a flag when grading a design.

I know we can become attached to things that we've grown up with and sometimes be resistant to change, but it might be time to redesign the flag. So how would I redesign the flag? Well, I wouldn't. I would do what Alaska did back in 1927 and have students come up with a new design. It could teach civic pride in the state and, along the way, learn about Montana history that could be incorporated into the new flag. Not to mention, in that same survey done in 2001, Alaska's flag came in fifth best.

What are your thoughts? Should we change the flag or leave it as is? Let me know your thoughts by emailing me.

Make sure to check out the best and worst flags according to the NAVA survey below.