There’s a lot to love about cool Texas flags. They’re stamped on sports jerseys and waved from atop city buildings and highway overpasses. They’re the subject of odes and songs. Adults get them tattooed, kids learn to pledge their allegiance to the Lone Star State, and they appear in ad campaigns and on food trucks and murals.

The red, white and blue of the Texas flag carry a deeper significance than simple aesthetics: They represent bravery (red), purity (white) and loyalty (blue). When combined, these colors symbolize a state that’s proud to stand alone, unfettered by federal control or the other 50 states. The lone star on the flag centralizes Texans during momentous historic moments, much like the way that a team’s mascot becomes a rallying point for fans when their team is winning or losing.

Cool Texas Flags: Showcasing the Lone Star State’s Diversity

When the North American Vexillological Association polled its members in 2001 about the 72 state, territory and provincial flags of the United States and Canada, Texas’ design came in second only to New Mexico. This is no surprise given the fierce pride Texans have for their home state and its history of independence.

The Texas flag is also one of the most recognized in the world. It’s represented on hats, koozies, fraternity walls, and car windows and is the subject of many tales that revolve around the famous “Come and Take It” message that was delivered to Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at the Battle of Gonzales in 1835.