Betsy Ross Flag: History, Meaning, and Symbolism

The American flag has been a symbol of patriotism and pride for hundreds of years. But did you know that the famous Stars and Stripes once looked different than it does today? Designed by Betsy Ross in 1776, the first American flag represented the hopes and beliefs of the original 13 colonies. Stitched into the flag’s rectangular frame are symbols of freedom, bravery, honor, and grit. Discover the history behind the Betsy Ross flag and find out what each aspect of the flag symbolizes for Americans.

Who was Betsy Ross?

Betsy Ross was born on January 1, 1752, in the state of New Jersey. She had 16 siblings and was a middle child. When she was 17 years old, she began working as an apprentice for an upholsterer. During her apprenticeship, she met her future husband, John Ross.

In 1775, Betsy and John opened a shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, John died in 1776 during the American Revolution, leaving Betsy a widow. After her husband’s death, Betsy Ross continued working and married two more times. In addition, Betsy had several children, and her daughters and granddaughters helped her run her shop, too. Finally, she died at age 84 in 1836 in Philadelphia, where she had worked all her life as an upholsterer and seamstress.

Why Did America Need a New Flag?

The year was 1776. The colonies of America had planned to declare independence from Britain and were ready to form a new nation. But why was the creation of a flag so important to independence? For one, the usage of the British flag by the Patriots stirred up confusion among the Loyalists. If the Patriots genuinely wanted to be free from British rule, flying England’s flag made little sense. Therefore, the Continental Congress determined that creating a new flag to represent their side of the revolution was critical.

History of the Betsy Ross Flag

The story of Betsy Ross and the first American flag seemed nothing more than a legend at first. Betsy had mentioned to her relatives and friends how she was petitioned by the Continental Congress to create the flag. However, the legend became history when Betsy’s grandson, William Canby, told the story of the first American flag to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870, decades after her death.

According to Canby, Betsy was visited by George Washington, Robert Morris, and Colonel George Ross. George Ross was the uncle of Betsy’s first husband, John Ross. In addition, Betsy had known George Washington, as they sat near one another in church. Furthermore, some believe that Betsy had done seamstress work for Washington in the past. Betsy’s acquaintanceship with these men made her the perfect candidate for the creation of the American flag.

During the meeting, the three men provided Betsy with an illustration of a potential flag design. The illustration pictured 13 six-pointed stars and red and white stripes. Supposedly, Betsy agreed to turn the illustration into a flag, changing the six-pointed stars to five-pointed stars and organizing the stars into a circle.

On July 14, 1777, Congress introduced Betsy’s design as the official American flag. Following Canby’s tale, Betsy Ross became an American legend and hero, and many people accepted her as the original creator of the flag. However, some people have doubted the claim that Betsy Ross produced the first American flag.  

Doubt Surrounding the Betsy Ross Flag

There are several reasons for the skepticism surrounding the claim that Betsy Ross made the American flag. For one, flags did not hold a deep significance for Americans until long after Betsy’s death. In fact, many Americans began to better appreciate the flag in the mid-1870s, around the time that Canby introduced his story about Betsy.

Alongside Canby’s story, other people claimed that their relatives or friends had designed the first American flag. Therefore, rumors of other original creators spread throughout the northeast, and people remained unsure of who the true flag maker was. In addition, many experts disagree on what the first flag looked like, perhaps pointing to more than one designer. The story Canby told, though, does align with the theory of multiple flag creators, as he claimed that several flag variations were being constructed as Betsy was designing her flag.

In addition, some historians claim that Francis Hopkinson created the first American flag. Hopkinson signed the Declaration of Independence and designed several government department seals during his lifetime. Furthermore, one piece of evidence shows a petition by Hopkinson for payment from the government for designing the flag. However, this payment was not fulfilled, and no illustration of the original flag design was found that pointed to Hopkinson as the creator.

Influence of Betsy Ross

While Betsy Ross may not be the true creator of the American flag, she is the most likely candidate. Her relationships with members of the Continental Congress, her skillset, and Canby’s narrative all point to her as the designer. Although historians and experts may never agree on the original creator of the American flag, they can contend that Betsy Ross left a remarkable influence on American pride and culture. Whether the story is fact or fiction we may never know, but there is comfort in having a historical figure to pay tribute to for this uniting national symbol.

Meaning and Symbolism of the Betsy Ross Flag

Being the first official flag of the United States of America, the Betsy Ross flag stood for core American values and patriotism. For instance, the creation of a new flag symbolized the creation of a new country, one that was separate from Britain and not burdened by British laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the 13 red and white stripes on the American flag symbolized the 13 original colonies, as did the 13 five-pointed stars on the flag. In addition, the color red represented valor and fortitude while white symbolized purity. The blue canton stood for justice and perseverance.

Moreover, the choice to include stars as a symbol of the colonies spoke to a cosmic message. The stars were arranged as a constellation, representing the brightly shining hope that the Patriots had for their new nation. Furthermore, the arrangement of the stars in a circle stood for equality; all the stars were on the same plane with none higher nor lower than one another.

While the American flag looks different today due to the admission of new states into the Union, it still speaks the same message that it did in 1776. The American flag stands for equality, valor, justice, perseverance, and more, all in the hopes that Americans can discover how to express their patriotism and pride in their country.

Therefore, the Betsy Ross flag acted as the cornerstone upon which later American flags were constructed. While Betsy Ross may not be the sole person to thank for this sustained national symbol, Americans can look at the flag and be reminded of the beliefs and values held by their ancestors and forefathers.