The flag of the [[united_states|United States of America]], colloquially known as the [b]Stars and Stripes[/b]. It serves as a symbol of the country's unity, independence, and democratic ideals. 

The design of the American flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes alternating between red and white, representing the original 13 colonies that declared independence from [[united_kingdom|British]] rule. In the top left corner, commonly referred to as the canton, there is a blue rectangle containing 50 white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine rows. These stars represent the 50 states of the United States. The design of the flag has evolved over time as new states joined the Union. The current version with 50 stars became official on July 4, 1960, after [[Hawaii]] became the 50th state.

The colors of the American flag also hold symbolic meaning. Red represents valor and bravery, white signifies purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

The American flag is widely recognized and displayed in various contexts, including government buildings, schools, homes, and during public events and holidays such as Independence Day ([[fourth_of_july|July 4th]]). It is treated with respect and reverence, and there are guidelines and protocols for its proper handling, folding, and display.

For images that only show patterns or other symbols representing the United States rather than the flag itself, use the [[United States]] tag.

h4. Example

* !asset #20076915

h4. External links
* "Wikipedia: Flag of the United States":[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States]
* "Wikipedia: United States of America":[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America]

h4. See also
* [[Historical American flag]]
* [[Japanese flag]]
* [[Union Jack]]
* [[American flag bikini]]
星条旗 アメリカ合衆国の国旗 せいじょうき 合衆国旗 がっしゅうこっき 古き栄光 ふるきえいこう