🚩 Ever wondered what makes a flag great? Swipe through to see the key principles of flag design that we're considering for the new Cleveland flag. Want to have your say? Head over to cleflag.org and make your voice heard! 🌟 #ClevelandFlag #Cleveland #FlagDesign #CommunityEngagement #CityPride #Vote

Flag 1 is rich in symbolism that reflects Cleveland’s history and spirit. The six-pointed star honors Cleveland’s historical nickname, “The Sixth City,” and nods to the current city flag’s six symbols representative of Cleveland’s industrial and nautical history. The prominent “C” stands for Cleveland, while the swallowtail-shaped red section honors Ohio’s state flag shape and opens up to the right, signaling the forward progress of our city. The blue field to the right symbolizes Lake Erie, while the blue within the “C” represents the Cuyahoga River, named “Crooked River” by the Native American tribes of our region. The red stripe between the “C” and the blue field signifies Cleveland’s Rust Belt heritage. The overall red, white, and blue color scheme pays homage to the original Cleveland flag, as well as the Ohio and U.S. flags. Submitted by Shan Rodich #cleflagproject

Flag 4 The current flag of the city contains three vertical stripes in red, white, and blue, which symbolize American patriotism. At the center of the white stripe is a shield, outlined in red and blue, bearing the city’s name, “Cleveland,” and the founding year, 1796, encircled by a laurel wreath. The shield’s upper left corner features an anvil, hammer, and wheel, representing the city’s industrial heritage, while the upper right corner displays an anchor, windlass, and oars, highlighting Cleveland’s role as a commercial port on the Great Lakes. Below the shield, the words “Progress and Prosperity” were added later on, reflecting the city’s motto. Original flag designed by Susan Hepburn (1895) #cleflagproject

Flag 3 captures the essence of Cleveland through thoughtful symbolism. The six-pointed star signifies Cleveland’s historical nickname, “The Sixth City,” and honors the original flag’s six symbols of industrial and nautical themes. The blue section at the top represents Lake Erie to the north of the city, while the green portion at the bottom symbolizes Cleveland’s nickname, “The Forest City” and celebrates Cleveland’s metroparks system. The white line represents the city’s shoreline and includes a wave crest pointed to the right, representing our city’s forward progress. The circle encircling the star pays tribute to the Ohio flag, connecting Cleveland to its state heritage. Submitted by @clevelandflag (Unaffiliated with CLE Flag Project) #cleflagproject

Flag 2 weaves together elements of Cleveland’s identity and history. The six-pointed star represents Cleveland’s historical nickname, “The Sixth City,” and echoes the six symbols on the original flag, while also organized in such a way to symbolize the six tuning pegs on a guitar, a nod to Cleveland’s rich rock and roll heritage. The blue wavy line represents the Cuyahoga River, named by Native American tribes in our region to mean “Crooked River.” The green flanking the sides of the blue wavy line pays homage to Cleveland’s nickname, “The Forest City.” The white lines in the center stand for civic virtue, tying together the city’s past, present, and enduring spirit. Submitted by @clevelandflag (Unaffiliated with CLE Flag Project) #cleflagproject

🔎 Exploring the Symbolism of Cleveland’s Flag Finalist! Get to know the meaning behind each designs and the creative minds that crafted them: Flag Option 1 Designed by Shan Rodich, features a dynamic six-pointed star and a prominent ‘C’, capturing Cleveland’s rich industrial and maritime heritage. The swallowtail red, white, and blue motif nods to Ohio’s flag and Cleveland’s Rust Belt roots, with blue symbolizing Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. Flag Option 2 Designed by @clevelandflag blends Cleveland’s history with modern aesthetics. The flag’s six stars represent ‘The Sixth City’, the green embodies ‘The Forest City’, and the central wavy blue line symbolizes the Cuyahoga River, weaving together nature and the city’s vibrant rock legacy. Flag Option 3 Designed by @clevelandflag represents progress with a forward-pointing wave and six-pointed star reflecting Cleveland’s ‘Sixth City’ nickname. The blue and green colors symbolize Lake Erie and the extensive metroparks, tying the city’s natural beauty to its urban development. Option 4 (Current City Flag) The current flag, designed by Susan Hepburn in 1895, features red, white, and blue vertical stripes for patriotism, with a central shield showcasing Cleveland’s industrial might and maritime importance, topped with ‘Progress and Prosperity’ to represent the city’s ongoing growth. Vote Now: Make your voice heard by voting at (http://bit.ly/cleflagvote)! Stay Connected: Follow us on @CLEflag and share your feedback at info@cleflag.org. Help shape the symbol of Cleveland’s future—every vote counts! #cleflagproject #clevelandflagproject #clevelandflag #cleveland #216 #mgkday #clevelandpride #clevelandartist #clevelanddesigner #clevelandaiga #theland #clevelandohio

We are thrilled to announce that our Flag Selection Committee, composed of Clevelanders from a variety of backgrounds and opinions, has selected the top three flag designs from over 570 submissions. These designs, which we believe will our community will embrace and rally around, will now be presented alongside the current Cleveland flag for public voting. Over the past two weeks, our Committee has diligently reviewed submissions, focusing on design elements and symbolism that resonate with the essence of our city. They were supported in this endeavor by our Advisory Panel of professional designers from AIGA Cleveland, whose insights were invaluable in selecting our three finalists this past weekend. These finalists were informed of their design’s selection ahead of the launch of the public vote. We couldn’t have gotten to this stage of our initiative without the support of thousands of Clevelanders that we have spoken with at events around the city over the last several months. We also want to extend special thanks to our Committee for putting in many hours of work and dedication to the selection process, which we believe was fair and done with Cleveland’s best interests at heart. We look forward to continuing to engage with Clevelanders all across the city over the next several weeks as we get out the vote and seek out your feedback. It remains our primary objective to give our community the voice it deserves in choosing the symbol to represent Cleveland through its continued renaissance and beyond. Keep up with our progress on Instagram—@CLEflag Questions or feedback? Email us at info@cleflag.org

🎉 Completing the Circle: We’re excited to present the final installment of our series showcasing the brilliant minds behind the CLE Flag Project. Today, we introduce the last of our dedicated committee members who have tirelessly worked to ensure our new flag embodies the spirit and diversity of Cleveland. 🔍 Meet the Final Members: These individuals are not only leaders in their fields but also passionate Clevelanders who believe in the power of community and the importance of representation. Their expertise has been crucial in guiding the thoughtful and inclusive flag selection process. 🌟 Looking Ahead: With the committee now complete, we move forward with the important task of narrowing down the submissions to the top choices that will be presented to the public. This next step is all about you—Cleveland’s residents—having your say in what becomes our new city symbol. 🗳️ Get Ready to Vote: Stay tuned as we transition from selection to election. Your involvement is key to choosing a flag that represents our city’s past, present, and future. Let’s make history together by participating in the upcoming public vote. 👉 Stay Engaged: Follow us for updates on the voting process and learn how you can play a part in this historic moment. We are stronger together and your voice is essential as we aim to fly a flag that all of Cleveland can hold high with pride. #CLEFlagProject #FinalReveal #ClevelandPride #ClevelandFlagProject #Cleveland #216

Continuing Our Journey with the Flag Selection Committee 🌟 Discover More Influential Voices! As we continue to unveil the dynamic individuals on our Flag Selection Committee, we invite you to learn about their profound impacts on our community and their vision for Cleveland’s future. 🔍 Meet the Members: In today’s feature, we shine a light on more committee members who bring diverse perspectives and dedication to the flag project. Their collective expertise and passion ensure that our new flag will truly represent the spirit of Cleveland. 👥 Stay Engaged: Each member plays a crucial role in crafting a symbol that embodies our city’s rich heritage and bright future. Your feedback and engagement are vital as we move closer to a flag that all Clevelanders can be proud of. 🗓️ Mark Your Calendars: Don’t miss the final part of our series this Thursday, where we will introduce the last of our esteemed committee members. Get ready for more inspiring stories and innovative visions! 👉 Let’s Connect: Follow us, share your thoughts, and stay tuned as we approach the culmination of our series. Your voice matters in this historic endeavor! #CLEFlagProject #CommunityVoices #ClevelandFuture