Original Rainbow
A widely recognized symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride and unity. The six colors celebrate life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony, and spirit.
A living guide to the rainbow
The Pride Flag: history in color, community in motion.
Flags tell stories. The Pride Flag began as a handmade banner of hope and has since blossomed into a family of symbols embraced across the world. This site keeps the record clear, the visuals crisp, and the spirit welcoming—so anyone can learn what the colors mean and how the designs evolved.
A quick tour of Pride flags
From the original rainbow to inclusive designs and community flags, here’s a starter set often seen at marches, festivals, and everyday life.
Progress Pride Flag
Adds a forward-pointing chevron to honor trans communities, people of color, and those impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Transgender
Light blue, pink, and white—a design centered on trans pride, identity, and resilience.
Bisexual
Magenta, lavender, and blue represent attraction across the same and different genders.
What the colors mean
Life
The red stripe celebrates life and vitality—a reminder that pride is joyful and alive.
Healing
Orange honors the work of healing—personal, communal, and generational.
Sunlight
Yellow stands for light and clarity—space to be seen and to see one another.
Nature
Green reflects growth and belonging in the wider world.
Harmony
Blue evokes peace, chosen family, and steadiness through change.
Spirit
Violet nods to imagination and the inner spark that keeps communities moving forward.
From a handmade banner to a global symbol
In the late 1970s, artists and organizers stitched together a bold idea: a flag that could travel farther than any one voice. Over the decades, communities refined the design—sometimes adding stripes, sometimes changing shapes—always keeping the message bright and generous.
- 1970s: Early rainbow banners appear at marches, establishing color as a unifying motif.
- 1990s–2000s: The six-stripe rainbow gains everyday visibility across cities and media.
- 2010s: New flags highlight specific identities and intersectional experiences.
- Today: Inclusive designs signal a shared commitment: everyone belongs.
Why these colors matter
The flag isn’t just design. It’s a signal that says: “You’re safe with us.” Below are short reflections from contributors who shared what the flag means in daily life.
“It helped me be visible at work.”
A tiny pin on my backpack opened conversations I didn’t know I needed. The flag did the talking before I could.
“At the parade, I found family.”
I showed up alone and left with a phone full of new friends and a heart that felt twice as big.
“My kid recognized themself.”
We saw the trans flag in a classroom poster. My child smiled for the rest of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single “official” Pride Flag?
No governing body controls the design globally. Communities choose symbols that fit their context. The rainbow remains widely recognized, and inclusive variations are common.
How should I display a Pride Flag respectfully?
Treat it with the same care you’d show any symbol of identity: keep it clean, avoid defacement, and listen to local norms at schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
Can I download high-resolution files?
Yes—vector and PNG sets are coming soon. For now, you can request media kits through our contact form.
Keep learning with us
New explainers, classroom resources, and printable posters—delivered occasionally.