The Georgia and Atlanta Flags: Symbols You’ll Actually See Around the City

If you spend any time in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll see a mix of flags: the state flag of Georgia, the United States flag, and the City of Atlanta flag. Each has its own meaning, rules, and common uses around the city.

This guide walks you through what the Georgia flag and the Atlanta city flag look like, where you’ll see them, how they’re typically displayed in Atlanta, and what to know if you want to buy or fly one yourself.

The Georgia State Flag You See in Atlanta

What the current Georgia state flag looks like

The current Georgia state flag, adopted in 2003, is the one you’ll see at:

• Georgia State Capitol downtown
• State government buildings and courts
• Many schools and universities
• Some businesses and homes across metro Atlanta

It features:

• Three horizontal stripes: red (top), white (middle), red (bottom)
• Blue vertical field (canton) on the left, containing:
  • The state coat of arms inside a gold circle
  • The words “In God We Trust” under the emblem
  • 13 white stars arranged around the circle, symbolizing the original 13 colonies

If you’re looking at a cluster of flags in Atlanta (for example, at the State Capitol or city offices), this is usually the flag flying just below the U.S. flag on the same pole or on a separate pole nearby.

The Atlanta City Flag

What the Atlanta city flag looks like

The City of Atlanta flag has its own distinct look and represents the city itself rather than the state. The current design features:

• A deep blue field
• A gold or yellow circular seal in the center
• The word “ATLANTA” and the Latin motto “RESURGENS” (meaning “rising again”)
• A phoenix rising from flames, symbolizing Atlanta’s rebirth after being burned during the Civil War

You’ll most often see this flag:

• At Atlanta City Hall (55 Trinity Ave SW)
• Outside or inside city government buildings
• At some Atlanta public schools and city recreation facilities
• Occasionally at local events, parades, and civic ceremonies

The phoenix and “Resurgens” motto are also used on city vehicles, city signage, and some official documents, so the flag ties into a larger visual identity for Atlanta.

Where You’ll Commonly See These Flags in Atlanta

Here’s a quick overview of where the Georgia state flag and the Atlanta city flag typically appear around the city.

If you’re visiting the city and want to see both flags together in a clearly official setting, Atlanta City Hall and nearby government complexes are among the most reliable spots.

Who Oversees Flags in Atlanta and Georgia?

State-level responsibility

The Georgia state flag is overseen at the state level by:

• Governor’s Office – for statewide use and ceremonial displays
• Georgia Department of Administrative Services – often handles procurement for state buildings
• Georgia Department of Veterans Service – often involved in flag displays at veterans’ facilities and ceremonies

At state-owned buildings in Atlanta, decisions about flag display usually follow statewide policy and guidelines.

City-level responsibility

The City of Atlanta flag is managed by the city government, typically through:

• Office of the Mayor
• Atlanta City Council – which has the authority to adopt or change the city flag
• City departments that manage facilities and public spaces

If you have questions specifically about use of the Atlanta flag on city property, the main contact point is usually:

• Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main information lines listed by the City of Atlanta can direct you to the appropriate office.

Flag Order and Display Rules in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and plan to fly a Georgia flag or Atlanta flag at your home, business, or event, it helps to follow generally accepted practices. These are not customized rules for Atlanta, but they’re commonly used standards you’ll see followed around the city.

Order of flags

When multiple flags are flown together in Atlanta:

1. U.S. flag (if displayed) takes the highest place of honor.
2. Georgia state flag generally comes next.
3. Local flags (like the Atlanta city flag) follow state flags.

Common setups:

• Single pole: U.S. flag at the top, Georgia flag beneath it; city flag usually needs a separate pole if you want to display it simultaneously.
• Multiple poles of equal height: U.S. flag on its own pole, then state flag, then city or organizational flags.

Condition and lighting

Whether you’re in Midtown, Buckhead, South Atlanta, or the Westside, good practice is:

• Keep flags clean and in good condition (not overly torn or faded).
• If flying a flag at night, it should be properly lit.
• Remove or replace flags that are severely worn.

These are the same practices you’ll see followed at major Atlanta buildings like the Georgia State Capitol, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and larger corporate campuses.

Buying a Georgia or Atlanta Flag Locally

If you live in or near Atlanta and want a Georgia state flag or Atlanta city flag, you have a few typical options:

1. Local flag and banner shops

In the metro area, dedicated flag or banner stores often carry:

• Georgia state flags in multiple sizes
• U.S. flags suitable for home or commercial use
• Sometimes city flags or they may be able to special-order the Atlanta flag

These shops are commonly used by:

• Schools
• HOA communities
• Event organizers
• Small businesses

2. National or regional retailers with Atlanta locations

Many big-box stores, home improvement stores, and craft retailers around Atlanta stock:

• U.S. flags
• Georgia flags (especially around patriotic holidays)
• Some also carry flagpoles, mounting brackets, and solar lights for outdoor display

You’ll find these options throughout Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties, so you won’t have to go far from most Atlanta neighborhoods.

3. Online sellers (shipping to Atlanta)

If you want a specific size, higher-quality fabric, or the Atlanta city flag, many residents simply order online and ship to their Atlanta address. This is often how schools, churches, and civic groups source less common flag types like city or specialty flags.

When Flags Are Lowered to Half-Staff in Atlanta

You’ll occasionally see flags at half-staff on government buildings in Atlanta, including:

• State government buildings (Georgia State Capitol and others)
• City facilities (City Hall, police precincts, fire stations)
• County courthouses across metro Atlanta

Flags may be lowered:

• By order of the President
• By order of the Governor of Georgia
• For certain local observances or memorials

If you fly a Georgia or U.S. flag at your home or business in Atlanta, many residents choose to mirror these half-staff observances, especially for major national or statewide remembrances.

Historical Context: Why Atlanta’s Symbols Matter

Atlanta’s identity is closely tied to rebirth and growth, and both the Georgia state flag and the Atlanta city flag reflect that history in different ways.

• The phoenix on the Atlanta flag directly references the city’s destruction during the Civil War and its later “rising from the ashes” as a major transportation and economic hub.
• The Georgia state flag has gone through several controversial redesigns over the decades. The current flag is the one you’ll see at official locations in Atlanta today; it’s the standard symbol used for state functions and buildings across the city.

For visitors, seeing these flags together—especially at the Capitol complex downtown—gives a visual snapshot of how Atlanta sits within the state of Georgia and the broader United States.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Here are some quick, local-focused pointers if you’re dealing with flags in Atlanta:

• 🏛 Want to see official displays?
  Visit the Georgia State Capitol area and Atlanta City Hall to see the Georgia and Atlanta flags flying in official contexts.

• 🏡 Flying a Georgia flag at home in Atlanta?
  Most residents place the U.S. flag above or more prominently, then the Georgia flag. If you add an Atlanta flag, it usually goes on a separate pole or lower position.

• 🏫 Schools and organizations in Atlanta
  Many follow broad flag etiquette; if you’re responsible for a school or nonprofit in the city, checking federal and state guidance on flag display is a practical starting point.

• 🎟 Events and ceremonies
  For public or semi-public events in Atlanta (rallies, parades, memorials), organizers often display the U.S. flag first, followed by the Georgia flag, and then Atlanta or organizational flags if space allows.

Understanding the Georgia state flag and the Atlanta city flag helps make sense of what you’re seeing on government buildings, schools, and public spaces across the city. Whether you’re a long-time Atlanta resident, new to town, or visiting, these flags are everyday symbols of where you are: in Atlanta, Georgia, with its own local identity nested inside the state and the nation.