Waving from balconies, city streets, and festival stages, the rainbow pride flag is the most iconic emblem that represents the LGBTQ+ community as whole. It stands for love, diversity, and freedom. But where did it come from and what does it really mean?
Let’s take a look back at the powerful history of the rainbow flag.
Who Designed the Rainbow Pride Flag?
The original rainbow flag was created in 1978 by artist and activist Gilbert Baker in San Francisco, following a request from Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Baker was asked to create a symbol of hope and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, a flag that could stand proudly against discrimination and oppression.
Rather than adopt an existing image like the pink triangle (which had been used during the Holocaust to identify and persecute queer people), Baker wanted something entirely new and positive.
So, he sewed the first rainbow flag by hand.
The Original Meaning Behind the 8 Colors
The original rainbow flag had eight colors, each representing a different aspect of LGBTQ+ identity and values:
Hot Pink
This stripe represented the freedom of sexual expression, a revolutionary idea at the time. Hot pink celebrated the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of sexuality, particularly in defiance of the shame and censorship that the LGBTQ+ community often faced. It was about reclaiming desire as something joyful, natural, and powerful.
Why it disappeared: The fabric for hot pink dye was not commercially available in mass production, so it was dropped in later versions.
Red
Red symbolizes life itself (the heartbeat of existence) and is widely associated with blood, vitality, and passion in many cultures. On the Pride flag, it symbolizes the courage to live authentically, even when life as an LGBTQ+ person is met with struggle or risk. It’s the color of being truly alive in your truth.
Orange
Orange is a color of warmth, compassion, and self-care. It speaks to the emotional and psychological healing that happens when people are allowed to live freely and love openly. It also reflects community healing, the way LGBTQ+ people care for each other, especially during times of crisis like the AIDS epidemic.
Yellow
Yellow represents sunlight, energy, and hope. It’s the color of visibility, bringing the LGBTQ+ community out of the shadows and into the light. Yellow symbolizes joy, brightness, and new beginnings, especially for those who have had to hide their identities.
Green
Green symbolizes harmony with nature and our rootedness in the world. It reflects growth, renewal, and the cycles of life. This color reminds us that LGBTQ+ people are a natural part of the human experience, not an anomaly, but an essential part of humanity’s diversity.
Turquoise
Turquoise celebrates the creative force within the LGBTQ+ community. It represents self-expression, artistry, and the almost magical ability to create beauty out of adversity. From fashion and music to dance and performance, LGBTQ+ culture has long been a source of artistic brilliance and innovation.
Why it was removed: Turquoise was eventually removed when the flag began mass production, creating a design with an even number of stripes.
Indigo
Indigo (often represented later as royal blue) symbolizes deep peace, introspection, and wisdom. It’s the stillness that comes from self-acceptance and the strength found in quiet confidence. Indigo invites self-reflection and the courage to embrace our true selves without fear.
Violet
Violet is the color of the soul representing spirit, strength, and the enduring power of identity. It’s the unbreakable inner light that shines through all adversity. In the LGBTQ+ context, violet speaks to the spiritual process of coming out, building community, and living authentically.
More Than Just Colors
Together, these eight stripes were meant to represent the totality of queer life, from our bodies to our spirits, from our struggles to our creativity. Though today’s six-color flag is more common, the original eight-color flag still resonates with those who seek to understand the full meaning behind the rainbow.
Evolution of the Flag Through the Years
Over the decades, the rainbow flag has grown to represent not just gays, but the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum. Flown in parades, carried in protests, and raised over government buildings, it has become a powerful global symbol of unity, diversity, and resistance.
Today, you’ll also see inclusive versions like:
- The Philadelphia Pride Flag (adding black and brown stripes to honor LGBTQ+ people of color)
- The Progress Flag (which adds chevrons for trans and marginalized communities)
Pride Flags in Protest, Celebration, and Solidarity
From being burned in acts of hate to being flown above embassies and landmarks like the Stonewall Inn, the rainbow flag is more than a decorative symbol, it's a form of protest, identity, and solidarity.
When LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, flying the flag can be a quiet act of resistance or a loud cry for justice. Celebrating rights serves as both a reflection of the progress made and a reminder of the work still ahead.
Why the Rainbow Flag Still Matters Today
The rainbow flag continues to carry profound significance. For young people coming out, it’s often the first signal of belonging. For allies, it’s a badge of support. And for activists, it’s a symbol of both legacy and ongoing struggle.
Wear the Rainbow with Pride
Want to honor the history of the LGBTQ+ flag?
Check out our Rainbow Collection for inclusive gear that celebrates every color and every identity.
Gay Pride Flag LGBTQ+
$31.50
Turn a drab space into your pride space while showing your true pride colors! This flag is low-maintenance and it's made of polyester that won’t crease or shrink and will last a long time. • 100% polyester • Knitted fabric… read more
