Last Updated on July 19, 2023 by Kimberlee Johnson
As someone actively involved in the dynamic world of LGBTQ+ activism, I’ve had the opportunity to learn the significant meanings attached to each color.
So, what do the colors mean on the Pride flag?
From the boldness of red to the tranquillity of blue, I’ll unravel the important meanings hidden within the rainbow. Read on.
What Does Each Color On The Pride Flag Mean?
1. Red
This topmost color symbolizes life. It represents the vitality, energy, and passion of the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Orange
The next strip on the flag signifies healing. It’s a nod to the ability of the community to recover and heal from adversities and traumas.
3. Yellow
Yellow stands for sunlight. It reminds the community to be themselves, step out of the shadows, and express their identity freely.
4. Green
This middle color symbolizes nature. It suggests that homosexuality is a natural occurrence, no different than heterosexuality.
5. Indigo
The color blue in the flag represents serenity and harmony. It underscores the inherent desire for peace and mutual understanding in the community.
6. Violet
The last strip, purple, signifies spirit as it refers to the bravery, determination, and spirit that members of the LGBTQ+ community have demonstrated in their fight for equality and acceptance.
What Were The Original Colors Of The Pride Flag?
The first Pride flag, created by Gilbert Baker in 1978, originally had eight colors: hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet.
These colors represent different aspects of the LGBTQ+ community and its fight for equality and acceptance.
However, the flag was later changed to have six colors because they couldn’t find hot pink fabric. Find out what flower represents the LGBTQ community here.
What Are The Colors That Aren’t In The New Pride Flag?
The newer version of the Pride flag no longer includes two colors that were part of the original design. These colors are hot pink and turquoise.
Hot pink represented passion and sexuality, while turquoise symbolized magic and art. But the hot pink fabric wasn’t available when the flag was created, so it was removed.
Turquoise was also taken out to ensure an equal balance of colors.
Even though these colors are no longer on the flag, their initial meanings and the emotions they convey are still cherished and acknowledged by the LGBTQ+ community.
But what are the rules for displaying flags?
Pride Flag: Why Is It Important
The Pride flag is a powerful symbol for LGBTQ+ rights, inclusion, and visibility, and acknowledges several communities that celebrate Pride.
It is a sign of courage and hope for all individuals who have felt alone and misunderstood.
It represents our progress so far in LGBTQ+ equality and reminds us of the work that still needs to be done.
“I don’t love just men. I love people. It’s not about a gender. It’s just about the spirit that exudes from that other person you’re with.”
– Kesha. American Singer-Songwriter
The Pride flag symbolizes love, acceptance, and strength and aims to make a more inclusive and loving world. But why is it essential to celebrate Pride Month?
What Are Other Pride Flags & Their Meaning?
1. Transgender Pride Flag
Designed by Monica Helms in 1999, this flag includes light blue stripes to represent boys, pink stripes to represent girls, and a stripe of white down the middle to indicate individuals who are transitioning, gender-neutral, or non-binary [1].
2. Non-Binary Pride Flag
Created by Kye Rowan in 2014, this flag consists of four horizontal stripes.
Yellow represents people outside the gender binary, white represents nonbinary people with multiple genders, purple represents those with a mixture of both genders, and black represents agender individuals.
3. Intersex Pride Flag
This flag, created by Morgan Carpenter in 2013, is distinguished by a purple circle on a bright yellow field.
The circle is unbroken and devoid of decorations; this represents wholeness and completion and the possibilities for intersex individuals.
Find out the meaning of the term two-spirit in LGBTQ here.
4. Asexual Pride Flag
The asexual flag has four stripes that run horizontally across the flag.
“The colors on the pride flag are like the heartbeat of the LGBTQ+ community, pulsating with resilience, authenticity, and a shared commitment to progress.”
– Howkapow Gift Site
Black represents asexuality [2]; grey represents the grey area between sexual and asexual; white represents sexuality, and purple represents a community.
5. Bisexual Pride Flag
This flag, which Michael Page designed in 1998, contains a pink stripe at the top to signify homosexuality, a blue stripe at the bottom to represent heterosexuality, and a third, narrower stripe in the middle to represent attraction to both sexes.
Read: Simple Ways To Explain Pride Month To A Kid
FAQs
What country has a rainbow-colored flag?
The nation of Cusco in Peru has a rainbow-colored flag that resembles the LGBTQ+ Pride flag, but it represents different symbolism.
Check out these special dates in celebrating Pride Month here.
What did the 1980s pride flag look like?
The Pride Flag of the 1980s features alternating black and blue stripes, a white central stripe, and a red heart in the canton. But what does the Pride Movement stand for?
In Summary
The vibrant colors on the pride flag serve as powerful symbols of unity, resilience, and celebration within the LGBTQ+ community.
As I’ve witnessed firsthand during my involvement in various events, each color carries a unique message, representing different aspects of life, healing, joy, nature, harmony, diversity, love, and compassion.
Together, these colors form a rainbow of inclusivity, reminding us of the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance.
So next time you see the pride flag waving proudly, take a moment to appreciate the rich symbolism behind each hue and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
References:
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-non-binary-or-have-non-binary-gender-4172702
- https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/asexuality-meaning
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