Confederate Battle Flag - Historical Symbol, Design, and Context #1448162 (License: Personal Use)

This flag, officially known as the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, was adopted in 1861 and became the most recognizable symbol of the Confederate States during the U.S. Civil War. Its design consists of a blue canton with a red diagonal cross (saltire) bordered in white, containing 13 stars representing the seceded states plus those that were claimed but never fully admitted. Though never the national flag of the Confederacy, it gained widespread use by military units and later became a contested emblem in American cultural and political discourse.

Used in historical articles, museum exhibits, educational resources, and discussions about U.S. Civil War symbolism; often appears in contexts addressing heritage, racism, and monument debates. Matches user intent for historical research, visual identification, or understanding modern controversies surrounding the flag.