The
Tennessee Flag and Folding Instructions
The geometric design symbolizes the geographical
and cultural heritage of the state of Tennessee while echoing the colors
of the national flag of The United States of America. The color white
symbolizes purity. The blue symbolizes the love that the three stars
are of pure white, representing the three grand divisions of
the state. They are bound together by the endless circle of
the blue field, the symbol being three bound together in one - an indissoluble
trinity. The large field is crimson. The final blue bar relieves the
sameness of the crimson field and prevents the flag from showing too
much crimson when hanging limp.
The three grand divisions of the state are
the three sharply contrasting geographical divisions of the state of
Tennessee:
East Tennessee is defined
by the Great Smokey Mountains, the Cumberland Plateau and the narrow
valleys and forested hills. Farming was restricted by this landscape
and two of the states most industrialized cities are in East Tennessee;
Chattanooga and Knoxville.
Middle Tennessee is known for its rolling landscape;
bluegrass country. Defined by the circuitous path of the Tennessee River,
Middle Tennessee is ideal for raising livestock and dairy farming and
is known for its fine horses and mules.
West Tennessee is where most of the state's cotton
is grown. Between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers, this is rich
river-bottom land.
To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
Fold the lower half of the flag section lengthwise over the circle and stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely. NOTE: THE BLUE CIRCLE AND WHITE STARS HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE DRAWINGS TO CONCENTRATE ON FLAG FOLDING TECHNIQUES.
Fold the flag again lengthwise.
Make a triangular fold by starting at the blue bar end and bringing the corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.
Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.
When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular of red should be visible.
Flag Folding Ceremony Summery
Always begin folding the Tennessee State Flag from the blue end. Continue folding
the flag the same way the United States Flag is folded.
