The City of Atlanta Flag: Meaning, History, and How to Get One

The City of Atlanta flag is more than a piece of fabric—it’s a symbol of rebirth, resilience, and civic pride that you’ll see flying over buildings and events all across Atlanta, Georgia. Whether you live here, are visiting, or just want to understand what the Atlanta flag stands for, knowing its story helps you see the city in a new way.

What the City of Atlanta Flag Looks Like

Atlanta’s official city flag is deep blue and gold with a bold central emblem.

Key design elements:

• Background color: Dark blue field
• Center emblem: A gold phoenix rising from flames
• Text around the phoenix:
  • Top: “RESURGENS”
  • Bottom: “ATLANTA GA” and the year 1847

The phoenix and the word “RESURGENS” (Latin for “rising again”) reflect Atlanta’s identity as a city that rebuilt itself after devastation, especially following the Civil War.

Quick reference: City of Atlanta flag features

What the Atlanta Flag Represents

The City of Atlanta flag captures several core ideas about the city:

• Rebirth and resilience:
  The phoenix rising from fire refers to Atlanta being burned during the Civil War and then rebuilding into a major Southern city.

• City motto – “Resurgens”:
  You’ll see “Resurgens” on the flag, the official city motto. This same motto appears on city seals and some public buildings.

• Pride in incorporation year (1847):
  The year 1847 marks when Atlanta was officially incorporated as a city, highlighting its growth from a rail hub to a major metropolitan center.

• Unified civic identity:
  The consistent use of the blue-and-gold flag helps visually tie together city government buildings, public events, and official communications.

If you live in Atlanta, the flag is essentially the city’s visual signature—a quick way to recognize government property, official city programs, and civic occasions.

A Brief History of the City of Atlanta Flag

Atlanta has not always flown the same flag. Understanding its evolution helps explain why the current design looks the way it does.

Early background: From seal to flag

Before there was a modern city flag, Atlanta used its official city seal, featuring the phoenix and “Resurgens,” on documents and government materials. That seal became the foundation for the flag design.

Adoption of the current design

The modern blue-and-gold Atlanta flag design emerged out of efforts to:

• Create a clear, recognizable city symbol
• Reflect Atlanta’s post-war rebirth and growth
• Align with the existing city seal and motto

While versions and details have been refined over the years, the core elements—phoenix, Resurgens, 1847, and Atlanta GA—have remained at the heart of the design.

You’ll sometimes see minor variations (especially on older flags or older photographs), but the standard city government version follows the description above.

Where You’ll See the Atlanta Flag in the City

If you’re in Atlanta, you can spot the City of Atlanta flag in many public spaces.

Government buildings

You’re most likely to see the flag:

• Outside and inside Atlanta City Hall

  • 55 Trinity Avenue SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303

• At various City of Atlanta department offices, such as:

  • Department of City Planning
  • Department of Watershed Management
  • Department of Parks and Recreation

These flags are typically flown alongside the United States flag and the Georgia state flag.

Parks and civic spaces

In some locations, especially around central areas, you may see the city flag:

• Near Woodruff Park downtown
• Around public plazas that host civic ceremonies
• At some city-operated recreation centers and community facilities

Not every small facility will display it prominently, but larger or more central locations often do.

Ceremonies and official events

The flag appears frequently at:

• City Council meetings and press conferences
• Proclamations, dedications, and memorials
• High-profile civic events, parades, and observances

If you’re attending a city-run event in downtown Atlanta, you’ll usually spot the flag close to the speaker podium or near the entrance.

City Flag vs. State Flag vs. Other Local Symbols

In Atlanta, it’s easy to confuse different flags if you’re new to the area. Here’s how they differ and where you might see each.

City of Atlanta flag

• Who it represents: The municipal government and residents of the City of Atlanta
• Where flown: City Hall, city departments, some parks and facilities

State of Georgia flag

• Who it represents: The State of Georgia
• Where flown: State buildings (like the State Capitol), many schools, and often alongside the U.S. flag and city flag at government complexes

United States flag

• Who it represents: The federal government and the country as a whole
• Where flown: Federal buildings, post offices, most public institutions, and many private businesses and homes

Neighborhood and local banners

Within Atlanta, you will also see neighborhood association banners or event flags, for example in:

• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Old Fourth Ward
• West End

These are not official city flags but help represent smaller communities or local initiatives.

How to Get a City of Atlanta Flag

If you want to display the City of Atlanta flag at home, in your business, or at an event, there are a few practical paths.

1. Contact the City of Atlanta (for official or ceremonial use)

For questions about official use of the city flag, or to confirm design specifications:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office / City Council offices
  Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main City Hall phone lines can typically help direct you to the appropriate department handling flags, seals, and branding.

This is useful if:

• You’re planning a public or civic event and want to ensure proper protocol
• You’re designing printed materials and need the correct emblem or color guidance
• You’re a school, nonprofit, or agency displaying the flag in an official capacity

2. Look for commercial flag suppliers

Many flag manufacturers and retailers are familiar with the design of the City of Atlanta flag. When purchasing:

• Specify that you want the City of Atlanta municipal flag, not the state flag
• Ask about:
  • Outdoor vs. indoor materials
  • Grommets or pole sleeves
  • Size options (common sizes range from 2'x3' to 4'x6' for homes and offices)

While vendors are commercial entities, the design itself is public, and many local or national flag shops can reproduce it accurately.

3. Use official artwork for printed or digital displays

If you need the Atlanta flag emblem or city seal for things like presentations or printed displays:

• The City of Atlanta typically maintains official versions of its seal and branding assets.
• City departments can often provide guidance on:
  • Approved color codes
  • Correct orientation and spacing
  • Usage rules, especially if the design appears in a context that might look official or governmental

This is especially important if you’re a business or organization that does not want to imply you are a city agency.

Proper Etiquette When Displaying the City Flag

If you plan to fly the City of Atlanta flag, especially alongside other flags, there are some common etiquette guidelines.

Order and placement with other flags

When flown with the U.S. flag and Georgia state flag, a typical and respectful arrangement is:

1. U.S. flag – highest or in the position of honor
2. Georgia state flag – secondary position
3. City of Atlanta flag – municipal level flag, displayed below or to the side based on the arrangement

For wall or indoor displays, the U.S. flag is usually placed at the viewer’s left (flag’s own right), with state and city flags arranged to the side in descending order of precedence.

Condition and care

To show respect to the symbol and the city:

• Replace flags that are torn, severely faded, or frayed
• Use durable outdoor fabric if the flag will be exposed to Atlanta’s sun, humidity, and storms
• Take flags down during severe weather when possible to extend their life

How the Flag Fits into Atlanta’s Civic Identity

For people in Atlanta, the city flag is one part of a broader visual identity that includes:

• The city seal with the phoenix and “Resurgens”
• Signage on city-owned vehicles and buildings
• Logos used by departments and programs operated by the City of Atlanta government

You see these elements in many places:

• On city service trucks (like sanitation or watershed vehicles)
• On official letters, forms, and permits
• Around civic projects such as infrastructure improvements and park renovations

Recognizing the City of Atlanta flag helps you quickly identify when something is connected to official city government rather than private companies or non-city agencies.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Curious About the Flag

If you’re in town and want to see the flag in context:

• Walk or drive by Atlanta City Hall on Trinity Avenue SW
• Explore the area around the Georgia State Capitol and nearby civic buildings downtown
• Keep an eye out at city-sponsored festivals, parades, and public ceremonies, especially around major holidays and observances

You’ll often see the blue-and-gold city flag flying alongside the U.S. and Georgia flags, serving as a daily reminder of Atlanta’s “Resurgens” spirit.

Key Takeaways About the City of Atlanta Flag

• The City of Atlanta flag is dark blue with a gold phoenix and the word “RESURGENS,” symbolizing the city’s rebirth and resilience.
• The year 1847 on the flag marks Atlanta’s incorporation as a city.
• You’ll see the flag at City Hall, city departments, and civic events throughout Atlanta.
• The flag is distinct from the Georgia state flag and U.S. flag, but often flown alongside them.
• If you want a flag yourself, you can work with commercial flag suppliers and, for official or ceremonial questions, contact the City of Atlanta for guidance on correct design and usage.

Understanding the Atlanta flag helps you better recognize the symbols that define everyday civic life in the city—and connects you more deeply to Atlanta’s ongoing story of “rising again.”