How was Maine's state flag design chosen?

Answer 1

As my Eight grade teacher explained it, if I remember correctly over 45 years ago:

• The Polar Star represents A stable point of guidance and direction to look toward should we loose our way.
• The Banner Dirigo (Meaning I Lead) means that we lead the nation as the sun rises, into a new day.
• The Coat of Arms represents the Honor of Maine citizens.
• The Farmer represents our farmlands with its domestic animals.
• The scythe represents the crops from our farms that feed us.
• The foreground water represents our over 2500 lakes rivers & streams.
• The Moose lying the the meadow represents our conservative coexistence with nature and wildlife.
• The large pine tree represents the Vast tall timbers we once had for the masts of sailing ships in the shipbuilding industry we once had.
• The background trees represent our vast varieties of timber for other products.
• The snow capped mountain represents one of our four seasons and mountains with our clear blue winter skies.
• The lower banner depicting MAINE shaped like a cup Holds all of that which is Maine
• The men, farmer and seaman, stand on the platformed edges, in defense of our state, providing that which we need from the sea and land and to defend us from aggression.

She was an avid Maine History buff, and I may remember it a bit different than she spoke of, but All in all she said "It depicts who we are in Maine and that which provides for us in times of good or bad"

Although a 2001 survey claimes it to be the worst designed flag, It seems to me It holds more meaning than any in the nation