The Municipal Flag of Chicago consists of 3 White stripes separated by two stripes of Blue with four Red six-pointed stars on the center stripe of White:
The 3 White stripes:
- Top White Stripe represents the Northside of the city.
- Center White Stripe represents the West side of the city.
- Bottom White Stripe represents the Southside of the city.
The 2 Blue stripes:
- Top Blue Stripe represents Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the Chicago River.
- Bottom Blue Stripe represents the South Branch of the Chicago River and the Great Canal.
The 4 Red stars on the Center White Stripes represent something as a whole, as well as each of the points on each of the stars themselves:
The First Red Star represents Fort Dearborn (added in 1939).The Points of the First Red Star Signify:
- France 1693
- Great Britain 1763
- Virginia 1778
- Northwest Territory 1798
- Indian Territory 1802
- Illinois Statehood 1818
The Second Red Star represents the Chicago Fire of October 8-10, 1871.The Points of the Second Red Star Signify:
- Transportation
- Labor
- Commerce
- Finance
- Populousness
- Salubrity
The Third Red Star represents the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.The Points of the Third Red Star Signify:
- Religion
- Education
- Esthetics
- Justice
- Beneficence
- Civic pride
The Fourth Red Star represents the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933.The Points of the Fourth Red Star Signify:
- World's Third Largest City
- City's Latin Motto - “Urbs in Horto” meaning “City in a Garden"
- I Will Motto
- Great Central Market
- Wonder City
- Convention City
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
