The Meaning of the Juneteenth Flag's Colors
Created in 1997 by Ben Haith, the founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF), the Juneteenth flag is a symbol of celebration and pride for both the holiday and Black Americans. The holiday was first celebrated in 1865 in Galveston, Texas, when the last enslaved people gained freedom after Union soldiers announced the Civil War was over. While June 19 didn't become a federal holiday until 2021, the Juneteenth colors meaning and flag have been recognized for more than 20 years.
The most common, and official, Juneteenth flag features red, white, and blue along with two stars: one five-pointed and one bursting. You may also see a red, black, and green flag being waved on Juneteenth; it's the Pan-African flag, which dates back to 1920. Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey called for a Black liberation flag, and so this version was born. With guidance from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, we break down each of the two flags' colors and their meanings below.
Red
Depending on the flag you see, red can have two meanings. On the Juneteenth-specific flag, red symbolizes unity with the traditional American flag. The arched shape is meant to symbolize new horizons and new opportunities. However, on the African Liberation Flag, the red stripe represents struggle and sacrifice.
White
Mirroring the white of the American flag, the white stars on the Juneteenth flag represent the emancipation of enslaved Black people in Texas who, upon being freed, became Americans under the law. The five-pointed star represents Texas, aka the Lone Star State, where the freeing took place. And the starburst represents a new beginning for all African Americans in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
Blue
Blue represents America and the American flag. While there's still a long fight for equality and justice ahead, the American flag colors on the Juneteenth flag represent a continued commitment of people in United States to do better, learn, and work hard to live up to the American ideals of justice for all.
Black
As part of the Pan-African or African Liberation flag, the black stripe symbolizes all Black people and their unique heritages and cultures.
Green
Green, which is often used as a symbol of wealth and abundance, represents the natural wealth and prosperity of the land of Africa.
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