Flags & Etiquette
The flags of Bunker Hill tell a story of identity, resistance, and the birth of a nation. From the Pine Tree to St. George's Cross, each banner carried on June 17, 1775, held deep meaning — and the customs of display honor that legacy to this day.
Explore the Flags →Flags & Etiquette of Bunker Hill Day encompass the study of the historical banners carried at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, and the modern customs governing their display. The most iconic among them is the Bunker Hill Flag — a blue field bearing a red St. George's Cross in the canton with a green pine tree in the upper-hoist quadrant. This flag, along with the Red New England Ensign, the Continental Flag, and the Pine Tree "Appeal to Heaven" Flag, reflects the evolving colonial identity on the eve of revolution. The core conclusion is that Bunker Hill Day flags represent the transition from colonial subjects to independent Americans — the pine tree symbolizing New England's economic pride and growing resistance, the St. George's Cross reflecting lingering British ties, and the eventual adoption of the Grand Union Flag marking the colonies' unification toward independence. Understanding these flags and their proper display ensures that the sacrifices of June 17, 1775, are honored with the dignity they deserve.①②
Flags & Etiquette — Key Facts
The Flags of the Battle of Bunker Hill
1. The Bunker Hill Flag (Blue New England Flag)
Design: A solid blue field with a red St. George's Cross in the canton (upper-left corner) and a green pine tree positioned in the upper-hoist quadrant. Often called the Bunker Hill Flag, this is the most famous flag associated with the battle.
History: The blue New England Flag was carried by colonial militia at Bunker Hill. The blue field distinguished it from the red British ensigns. The St. George's Cross acknowledged English heritage, while the pine tree asserted New England's distinct identity. This flag is believed to have flown over colonial positions on Breed's Hill during the battle.
Symbolism: Blue = the Atlantic Ocean and New England's maritime economy; Red Cross = English colonial roots; Pine Tree = New England's economic independence and the mast trade that fueled the region's prosperity.
Primary Flag of the Battle2. The Red New England Flag
Design: A red field with a white St. George's Cross in the canton (a white cross on a red canton) and a green pine tree. This was the common colonial maritime ensign of New England throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
History: The Red New England Flag (also called the New England Ensign) was widely used on colonial merchant ships. It was a familiar sight in Boston Harbor and along the New England coast. Some accounts suggest this flag was also present at Bunker Hill, carried by militia companies with maritime backgrounds.
Symbolism: The red field followed the British Red Ensign tradition used by merchant vessels. The white cross in the canton distinguished it from the British version and emphasized New England's separate identity while still honoring English heritage.
Colonial Maritime Ensign3. The Continental Flag
Design: A solid red field with a green pine tree — notably without the St. George's Cross. This flag was used by those colonial forces who objected to the cross as a symbol of British ecclesiastical and royal authority.
History: As tensions with Britain escalated, some colonial militia companies removed the St. George's Cross from their flags entirely. The Continental Flag represented a more radical break — keeping the red field and pine tree but rejecting English heraldry. This flag reflects the growing sentiment for independence among the colonists.
Symbolism: The absence of the cross was a deliberate political statement. The pine tree alone on a red field declared that New England's identity could stand on its own, without requiring English symbols. This flag foreshadowed the complete break with Britain to come.
Flag Without the Cross4. The Pine Tree Flag — "An Appeal to Heaven"
TO HEAVEN
Design: A white field with a green pine tree and the motto "An Appeal to Heaven" printed above. This flag was commissioned by General George Washington in 1775 for use by the six schooners of the Continental Navy.
History: In October 1775, Washington authorized the use of the "Appeal to Heaven" flag for the fledgling American naval fleet. The motto, drawn from the philosopher John Locke, expressed the colonists' belief that they had exhausted all earthly means of redress and were now appealing to God for justice. The flag saw widespread use throughout the Revolution.
Modern Usage: In recent decades, the "Appeal to Heaven" flag has been revived by various American civic and cultural groups as a symbol of liberty, self-governance, and resistance to overreach by government. It appears in state capitol buildings, historical reenactments, and private collections across the country.
Washington's Navy FlagComparison of the Four Battle Flags
| Flag Name | Field Color | Canton/Cross | Pine Tree | Year Used | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill Flag (Blue NE Flag) | Blue | Red St. George's Cross | Yes — green | 1775 | Primary flag at the battle |
| Red New England Flag | Red | White St. George's Cross | Yes — green | 1700s–1775 | Colonial maritime ensign |
| Continental Flag | Red | None (cross removed) | Yes — green | 1775 | Rejected British symbols |
| Pine Tree / "Appeal to Heaven" | White | None | Yes — green, with motto | 1775–1776 | Washington's naval ensign |
The Pine Tree Symbol
The pine tree is the most enduring symbol of New England's revolutionary spirit. Its presence on the Bunker Hill flags was no accident — the tree had deep economic, political, and cultural significance for the colonies.
Economic Importance
New England's white pines (Pinus strobus) were among the tallest trees in the world, reaching heights of over 200 feet. These trees were ideal for ship masts, and the British Royal Navy reserved the best white pines — marked with the "King's Broad Arrow" — for their own use. The mast trade was the backbone of New England's economy, and the pine tree on flags symbolized this natural wealth.
The Pine Tree Riot of 1772
Three years before the Boston Tea Party, the Pine Tree Riot erupted in Weare, New Hampshire. Colonial lumbermen, angered by British agents seizing their pines, attacked the sheriff's deputies, cut off their horses' ears and tails, and ran them out of town. The rioters were fined, but the event became an early act of colonial resistance — a direct precursor to the Revolution. The pine tree thus became a symbol of defying British authority.
Symbol of Resistance
By 1775, the pine tree had transformed from a symbol of economic pride into a rallying emblem of resistance. Colonial flags, paper money, and military banners all featured the pine tree. The Massachusetts colonial government even ordered that ships fly a "pine tree flag." The tree's evergreen nature — remaining green through harsh winters — made it a fitting metaphor for colonial perseverance.
The Grand Union Flag (1776)
The Grand Union Flag (also called the Continental Colors, the Cambridge Flag, or the First Navy Ensign) was the first flag to represent a unified colonial force. It featured 13 alternating red and white stripes with the British Union Jack in the canton.
Connection to Bunker Hill: While the Grand Union Flag was not used at the Battle of Bunker Hill itself (June 1775), it flew over the Continental Army during the Siege of Boston in early 1776, shortly after the battle. George Washington adopted it as the standard of the Continental Army. The flag represented the colonies' continued allegiance to the Crown while asserting their rights — a bridge between the separate New England flags and the eventual Stars and Stripes.
Learn more about the Siege of Boston →U.S. Flag Etiquette — Do's and Don'ts
| Category | Do's ✅ | Don'ts ❌ |
|---|---|---|
| Display Time | Display from sunrise to sunset. May fly 24 hours if properly illuminated. | Do not fly in bad weather unless using an all-weather flag. |
| Hoisting & Lowering | Hoist briskly. Lower ceremoniously. | Do not hoist or lower slowly or carelessly. |
| Position | U.S. flag occupies position of honor (its own right). | Do not fly below another flag or at the same height on the same pole. |
| Ground Contact | Keep flag clean and safely stored. | Never let the flag touch the ground, floor, or water. |
| Wear & Tear | Repair or replace when faded or torn. | Do not fly a damaged or soiled flag. |
| Half-Staff | Raise to peak first, then lower to half-staff. Lower to peak before lowering. | Do not display half-staff on days of celebration unless ordered. |
| Patriotic Occasions | Display on national holidays and state holidays like Bunker Hill Day. | Do not use the flag as clothing, bedding, or drapery. |
Proper Flag Disposal Methods
| Method | Description | Recommended For | Ceremonial? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dignified Burning | Flag is folded in triangular shape and placed in a fire. The ceremony often includes a reading and pledge. | Cotton, wool, and nylon flags | Yes — most traditional |
| Cutting (Rip & Retire) | The union (star field) is cut from the stripes. Each section is burned separately or buried. | Large or synthetic flags | Yes — by Legion or Scouts |
| Burial | Flag is folded, placed in a dignified box or container, and buried. | Synthetic flags that produce toxic smoke | Yes — respectful alternative |
| Recycling Program | Some American Legions collect flags and send them for professional recycling. | All materials | Varies by program |
📌 The American Legion and Boy Scouts of America conduct annual flag retirement ceremonies. Contact your local post or troop for proper disposal services. Find resources near you →
Flag Sizing Guide for Proper Display
| Flag Size | Recommended Pole Height | Best Use | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3′ × 5′ | 15–20 ft | Residential homes, small gardens | Good for street view |
| 4′ × 6′ | 20–25 ft | Standard home display, ceremonies | Excellent for most settings |
| 5′ × 8′ | 25–30 ft | Public buildings, schools, churches | Visible from distance |
| 6′ × 10′ | 30–40 ft | Municipal buildings, memorials | Highly visible |
| 8′ × 12′ | 40–50 ft | Large monuments, civic plazas | Landmark visibility |
| 10′ × 15′+ | 50–70 ft | Major memorials, stadiums | Visible from great distances |
Bunker Hill Flag Display Customs
Each year, the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown observes specific flag customs during the Bunker Hill Day commemorations. These traditions have been practiced for decades and form an essential part of the annual observance.
The Bunker Hill Flag is raised at the Monument in a formal ceremony. A color guard presents the flag as it is hoisted to full staff. This ceremony marks the beginning of Bunker Hill Day commemorations.
The Bunker Hill Flag flies continuously at the Monument, often alongside the U.S. flag and the Massachusetts state flag. The display lasts from the Sunday raising until sunset on June 17.
1,500 American flags are planted on the lawn of the Bunker Hill Monument by volunteers. Each flag represents a soldier who fell on the battlefield. The garden creates a stunning visual tribute that draws thousands of visitors.
On the morning of June 17, a formal flag-raising is conducted with military honors. Reenactors in period uniform often participate, and Taps is played to honor the fallen.
Local schoolchildren, veterans' organizations, and historical societies participate in the flag ceremonies. Many families display the Bunker Hill Flag at their homes throughout the month of June.
Modern Vexillology — Boston Area Flag Influences
The design elements of the Bunker Hill flag — the blue field, St. George's Cross, and pine tree — continue to influence municipal flags throughout the Boston area today.
| Flag / Symbol | Location | Bunker Hill Influence | Year Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Boston Flag | Boston, MA | Blue field with city seal — shares the blue field of the Bunker Hill Flag | 1917 |
| Cambridge City Flag | Cambridge, MA | Blue field with white cross and seal — echoes St. George's Cross canton | 1900s |
| Somerville City Flag | Somerville, MA | Blue and white design with historical seal referencing Bunker Hill | 1956 |
| Massachusetts State Flag | Massachusetts | White field with state seal — the seal features a Native American with bow and arrow and a pine tree | 1908 (1971) |
| New England Ensign | Regional (New England) | Red field with white St. George's Cross and pine tree — directly descended from Bunker Hill era flags | 1707 (historical) |
| Bunker Hill Monument Flag | Charlestown, MA | Replica of the original Bunker Hill Flag — blue field, red cross, green pine tree | Modern replica |
Vexillology Insight: The Bunker Hill flag is one of the earliest identifiable American military flags and represents a transitional design between British colonial flags and distinctly American symbols. Its influence can be traced through the flags of Suffolk County, the city of Boston, and dozens of municipalities across eastern Massachusetts. The New England Ensign, in particular, remains a popular symbol flown at historical sites and private residences throughout the region to this day. Explore more Bunker Hill traditions →
U.S. Flag Code — Key Rules at a Glance
The U.S. Flag Code (Title 4, Chapter 1, United States Code) establishes the rules for proper flag display and handling. While the code is advisory (not enforceable by penalty), it is followed by patriotic organizations, government agencies, and millions of Americans.
📖 Read the full text: U.S. Flag Code (Cornell LII) | More resources on Bunker Hill Day →
Flags Timeline — 1772 to 1776
| Year | Event | Flag Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1772 | Pine Tree Riot, Weare, New Hampshire | Pine tree becomes symbol of colonial resistance |
| June 17, 1775 | Battle of Bunker Hill | Bunker Hill Flag flies over colonial positions on Breed's Hill |
| July 1775 | Washington takes command of Continental Army | Various New England flags used by militia units |
| Oct 1775 | Washington commissions "Appeal to Heaven" flag | Pine Tree Flag adopted for Continental Navy schooners |
| Jan 1, 1776 | Grand Union Flag raised over Continental Army | First unified American flag, flown during Siege of Boston |
| July 4, 1776 | Declaration of Independence | Pine tree flags gradually replaced by Stars and Stripes |
Frequently Asked Questions — Flags & Etiquette
🏴 Explore More of Bunker Hill Day
From the battle's history to its heroes, traditions, food, and celebrations — discover everything about this pivotal day in American history.