Confederate Battle Flag - Historical Design and Symbolism #1383608 (License: Personal Use)

This image shows the Confederate battle flag, officially known as the “Southern Cross,” adopted in 1861 by the Army of Northern Virginia. Its design consists of a red field with a blue diagonal cross (saltire) edged in white and bearing 13 white five-pointed stars representing the seceded states. Though never the official national flag of the Confederacy, it gained prominence through military use and later became a contested cultural symbol.

Used in historical articles, educational resources, museum exhibits, and discussions about U.S. Civil War heritage and symbolism; matches user intent for historical research, visual reference, or contextual understanding of American iconography.