The flag of the
city of Detroit, Michigan, was designed in 1907 by David E. Heineman and
was officially adopted as the city's flag in 1948.
The flag has the
city seal emblazoned on quartered background, with each section representing a
country that once controlled the city. The lower hoist (left) quarter
represents France, which founded the fort and settlement in 1701; it has five
gold fleurs-de-lis on a white field. The upper fly (right) quarter represents
Britain, which controlled the fort from 1760 to 1796. It has three gold lions
on a red field. The lower fly has 13 red and white stripes and the upper hoist
has 13 white stars on a blue field, representing the original thirteen colonies
of the United States.
The two Latin
mottos read Speramus Meliora and Resurget Cineribus, meaning
"We hope for better things" and "It will rise from the
ashes," which was written by Gabriel Richard after the fire of 1805. The
seal is a representation of the Detroit fire, which occurred on June 11, 1805.
The fire caused the entire city to burn with only one building saved from the
flames. The figure on the left weeps over the destruction while the figure on
the right gestures to the new city that will rise in its place. This
very symbolic card was sent to me by Jill
