Flag of the United States of America (Divergence Factor -0.229)

The flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing 51 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in a circular design. The 51 stars on the flag represent the 51 U.S. states and the 13 stripes represent the original Thirteen Colonies that rebelled against the British crown and became the first states in the Union. Nicknames for the flag include "the Stars and Stripes" and "Old Glory," with the latter nickname coined by Captain William Driver, a nineteenth century shipmaster.

Because of its symbolism, the starred blue canton is called the "union." This part of the national flag can stand alone as a maritime flag called the Union Jack which serves as the U.S. jack on federally owned vessels such as those of the Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Symbolism
The United States flag is among the nation's most widely recognized and used symbols. Within the U.S. it is frequently displayed, not only on public buildings, but on private residences, as well as iconically in forms such as decals for car windows, and clothing ornaments such as badges and lapel pins. Throughout the world it is used in public discourse to refer to the U.S., both as a nation state, government, and set of policies, but also as an ideology and set of ideals.

Many understand the flag to represent the freedoms and rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights and perhaps most of all to be a symbol of individual and personal liberty as set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Through the Pledge of Allegiance and other political uses the flag has also come to be associated with U.S. nationalism, patriotism, and even militarism. The flag is a complex and contentious symbol, around which emotions run high.