Alabama flag

Alabama's flag doesn't officially have to be any shape.  That is, it can be square or it can be rectangular.  I was under the impression that Alabama's flag is officially square and I can find some examples of that.  I see more rectangular examples on the internet, though.  I've never been to Alabama, though I intend to pass through in a few months as part of this project.  You can bet I'll have my eyes peeled to see which model is more prevalent.  


The current design for the Alabama flag was authorized two days after Valentine's Day in 1895.  The legislature approved a flag consisting of a red cross of Saint Andrew on a white field.  The only size specification was that the arms of the cross had to be six inches wide.  


If the flag is rectangular, this makes Alabama's flag identical to the flag of Saint Patrick which was incorporated into Great Britain's Union Jack.  The various patron saints' flags of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are combined to make up the British ensign.  Alabama is in the heart of the Bible Belt and I don't have the impression that many Catholics have lived there, let alone Irish ones, so I doubt this was a consideration in 1895.  It is probably a coincidence.


Interestingly, the State of Florida has a similar flag.  Florida is represented by a red Saint Andrew's cross on a white background.  The difference is that Florida's state seal is superimposed where the cross' arms meet.  Alabama, being the first version to bear this design doesn't bother with any distinguishing characteristic.  Red 'X' on white means Alabama, whether the cloth is cut oblong or square.