Bonnie Blue Flag

An unofficial but well-loved flag of the Confederacy, the Bonnie Blue Flag is a single five-pointed white star on a blue field. It was also heavily involved in the forming years of the Republic of Texas and in Mississippi's secession — it was said that the states which left the Union "took their star with them" off the US flag.

Celebrate your southern heritage. This flag has come to symbolize secession, self-governance and state sovereignty.

What is the Bonnie Blue Flag?

The Bonnie Blue Flag was first used in 1810 to represent the Republic of West Florida, a short-lived republic of English-speaking inhabitants in parts of Louisiana east of the Mississippi River who rebelled against Spanish rule and overthrew Spain's district governor, Carlos de Hault de Lassus, at Baton Rouge.

The flag was later adopted by the Republic of Texas in 1836, and used unofficially by some Confederate forces during the American Civil War (1861–1865). It became a symbol of secession and independence for many Southerners, and was often flown at rallies and gatherings throughout the war.

The song that made it famous

The song "The Bonnie Blue Flag" was written in 1861 by Harry McCarthy and quickly became one of the most popular anthems among Confederate soldiers — second only to "Dixie." The song tells the story of the flag and its symbolism, and it became a rallying cry for the Confederacy. Union forces banned it in occupied New Orleans, which only made it more popular among Southern troops.

In Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel and the 1939 film Gone with the Wind, Rhett Butler names his newborn daughter "Bonnie Blue Butler" after Melanie Wilkes remarks that her eyes will be "as blue as the bonnie blue flag."

Facts about the Bonnie Blue Flag

• The name is thought to derive from the Scottish folk song "The Bonnie Blue Flag," popular in the early 19th century.
• The blue field is sometimes said to represent the sky, and the single white star liberty and the unity of the Southern states.
• It was never officially adopted by the Confederate States of America, though it was widely used.
• It flew over the Republic of West Florida (1810), the Republic of Texas (1836), and Mississippi's secession convention (1861).
• Today it is most often seen at Civil War reenactments and heritage events.

Bonnie Blue flags and gifts

We carry the Bonnie Blue in outdoor nylon (printed, embroidered and 2-ply embroidered), historically accurate cotton for re-enactors and collectors, stick flags, string bunting, and a range of caps, pins, mugs, bumper stickers and license plates. Sizes from 4x6 inch up to 3x5 ft. Many are made in the USA — look for "Made in USA" on the product.