1998 Texas Capitol Ornament

THE LONESTAR FLAG

This is the 1998 Texas Capitol Ornament "The Lone Star Flag," the third edition in a series spanning more than 30 years of Texas history. It features the flag of of the great state of Texas wreathed in a decorative golden Lone Stars.

During Texas' struggle for independence from Mexico, many of the companies and battalions carried forth flags, designed by wives and daughters, from their home states. Using tattered remnants from wedding gowns and petticoats, they lovingly sewed independence into each stitch. The one common element of many of these battle flags was a five-point star, the Lone Star.

In keeping with the rising prominence of Texas, a more distinctive national flag was sought. In December 1836, the first official flag of the Republic, known as the David G. Burnet flag, was created. Described as having a single gold star centered on an azure field, the Burnet flag was never officially adopted. The new design was created by Charles Stewart, the second man to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. Thus, the Lone Star flag of Texas was adopted on January 25, 1839 in the small village of Houston, then the site of the state capital. The design, naturally enough, embodied the five-point lone star under which the history of Texas had dramatically unfurled. It is described as consisting of a blue perpendicular stripe one third the width of the flag with a single white star in its center, and two thirds of the flag, the upper stripe white and the lower stripe red. Thus, the Lone Star flag as we know it today was born.

The Lone Star flag was the national flag of the Republic until Texas transferred its status to statehood on February 19, 1846, when it became the state flag. Hence, the Texas flag is the only U.S. state flag to have previously served as a flag of a recognized independent country. Of all flags in the American Union, it is easily the most recognizable by Texans and non-Texans alike, second only to the Star Spangled Banner.

The colors of the Lone Star flag and the United States flag, were created to have similar meanings. The red stands for courage; the white for purity, purity of intention and steadfastness of purpose; and the blue for loyalty. The five points of the star tell of the five characteristics of a good citizen. The first point is for courage; moral courage, mental courage, and physical courage; the second is for loyalty; the third for righteousness and moral integrity; the fourth for prudence; and the fifth for broadmindedness.

While rendering the salute to the Texas Flag, one should stand erect, face the Texas Flag, and hold the right hand over the heart:

“Honor the Texas Flag:

I pledge allegiance to thee,

Texas, one and Indivisible.”

Supplies of this ornament are extremely limited. Once they are sold out, they will be unavailable forever more. We are are releasing the final stock of these original ornaments from our archive in response to consumer requests. Sales from this exclusive ornament support the ongoing preservation and interpretation of the Texas Capitol as well as exhibitions and educational programming at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Collect this commemorative piece of Texas history and help the statehouse maintain its beauty for generations to come.