Confederate flag

The Confederate flag most commonly refers to the rectangular version of the Confederate battle flag—a blue X with white stars on a red field—rather than any of the actual national flags of the Confederacy.

It became a symbol of Southern heritage and states' rights to some, but to many others it represents slavery, racism, and white supremacy.

The flag gained renewed prominence during the Civil Rights era as a symbol of resistance to integration: Confederate flags flew over Southern statehouses into the 21st century.

Its display remains controversial, with institutions and governments increasingly removing it from public spaces.