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by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 8 October 2005
See also:
(from Portland City site, in turn from NAVA's American City Flags)
located by Andrew Rogers, 4 August 2003
In the depths of the Portland civic code (section 1.06.010, para F, adopted
2002), it reads:
"Both the official flag described above and the prior official flag that was
adopted in 1969 shall be considered valid official flags until and including
December 31, 2004. On and after January 1, 2005, only the flag described above
[i.e., without the seal] shall be considered the official flag of the City."
located by Andrew Rogers, 4 August 2003
The City Seal distinguishes the official flag of the City of Portland, Oregon
and appears in the upper left corner. The background is green for Oregon's
forests, two blue stripes represent the Columbia and Willamette rivers, and a
small white star points to Portland's location at their confluence. Gold stripes
symbolize the harvest of golden grain and the gold of commerce. Size,
proportions and color elements in the City Flag are specified in the Portland
City Code 1.06.010 (http://www.bpcnet.com/codes/portland.htm).
History: In 1969, the Portland Art Commission established a special committee to
select a design for an official city flag. Local artists submitted designs and
the committee selected the design by Douglas Lynch. An Ordinance establishing
the City Flag was passed by the Portland City Council January 8, 1970.
Symbolism: The City Code gives detailed specifications for the colors and
proportions of the flag, but does not provide the meaning behind the colors and
shapes. The symbolism of the flag was explained in 1975 by Ginna Deinum, an
assistant to then Mayor Goldschmidt.
The flag's green field, or background, represents Oregon's forests. The two blue
stripes which run through the flag at right angles represent the Columbia and
Willamette Rivers, and the small four-pointed white star left of center
represents the confluence of these Rivers and the location of the City of
Portland. The gold stripes represent both the golden grain of our harvests and
the gold derived from commerce in the Willamette Valley.
The white stripes are a heraldic custom stemming from medieval times when
tradition decreed that colors should not touch each other. The white stripes
used in the Portland flag separate the various colors, so that they will not
visually blend into each other.
The seal in the upper left-hand corner is a vital part of the heraldic shield
and is called a canton. It occupies the same position as does the field stars in
our national flag. This is a place of honor, and the canton is in effect a small
flag on a larger flag. The seal is the City of Portland's official seal. Much of
the symbolism of the flag has been adopted from the seal, with the exception of
a specific symbol on the flag to represent the importance of our status as a
port city.
Portland Rose: Portland is known as the City of Roses and the original design
for the flag called for a picture of a rose on the back of the flag in the same
position as that of the seal on the front. A photograph in the City Archives
file shows a brilliant, full-blown, red rose on a white circle. However, the due
to costs of production this part of the design was eliminated when the design
was officially adopted, and none of the flags currently on display include a
rose.
Locations: The City Flag is hung on flag poles in front of the Portland Building
(5th Avenue), City Hall (4th Avenue), in the City Council Chamber and the
Portland Building, 2nd Floor Auditorium. A simplified version of the flag may be
used when displayed outdoors from a pole or staff, but the official flag must be
displayed inside a building or used for parade purposes. See Portland City Code
1.06.020 (http://www.bpcnet.com/codes/portland.htm).
Liisa Fagerlund
located by Dov Gutterman, 3 October 2002