Lincoln City Flag

In the eastern embrace of Nebraska, lies Lincoln, a sleepy town lulled into dreams of greatness. However, its flag would do it no favors in this area, having faded into the background and risking the Lincoln’s own descent into obscurity.

In a bid to inject new energy into the City, the American Marketing Association and Young Professionals Group joined together with a contest to fly a newly designed flag over Lincoln.

Amid a storm of entries, my design stood out as a top contender. Though it fell short in the end, I'll always be grateful for the backing it received from the people of Lincoln.

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.

— Abraham Lincoln

As a city that prides itself on being a champion among champions, Lincoln should uphold its reputation with a flag and symbol that boldly and reflects the heart of its people. And with a new flag and symbol to represent them, the people of Lincoln can proudly showcase their city's rich history and promising future to the rest of the world.

The Symbolism of the Field

The white background represents the infinite potential that each new dawn brings to Lincoln. The blue horizon represents the rich land and resources that Lincoln is built upon.

The top three-fourths are a flood of alabaster white over a foundation of denim blue.
The color scheme is loosely based on that of the Nebraska state flag.
The high degree of contrast between colors enables the flag to be identifiable from a distance.

The Symbolism of the Emblem

As the namesake of the city of Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln is revered for his humble origins, fierce intellect, quiet confidence, tenacious perseverance, and worldly wisdom. It's a legacy that continues to inspire the people of Lincoln to this day, even though Lincoln himself never set foot in Nebraska.

But there is a creature that embodies these very same virtues, and it happens to be a familiar species in the area - the Barn Owl.

The Barn Owl has long been revered by Indigenous cultures as a symbol of transformation and transcendence, thanks to its remarkable ability to thrive in both natural and man-made environments. It's a fitting namesake for a creature that embodies the same qualities of adaptability and resilience that Abraham Lincoln himself demonstrated by his own rural origins. This journey of transformation is echoed in the story of Lincoln, Nebraska, a once-sleepy village on the prairie that has since risen to become the proud capital of the state. By embracing the Barn Owl as a symbol of its own transformative spirit, Lincoln can honor its past, present, and future as a city of champions.

Moreover, the Barn Owl is an ideal symbol of Lincoln for the following key reasons:

An acute listener, the Barn Owl’s sensitive hearing is the product of their heart-shaped face. Likewise, Lincoln is a compassionate community that gains understanding through listening. In addition, both the University and Unicameral are examples of how Lincoln is a place of great listening.
The two large, starry eyes of the design are a nod to Lincoln’s celebrated identity as the “Star City.” They also represent the two “star” institutions that have historically guided and influenced Lincoln’s direction the most: the seat of government at the Nebraska State Capitol, and the University of Nebraska system.
Among its class, the Barn Owl’s physical prowess takes top honors. As home to generations of champion athletes, Lincoln too demonstrates its prowess for winning through games at Memorial Stadium to the Lincoln Marathon, and as host to the Cornhusker State Games and other statewide competitions.
The diligent proficiency of the Barn Owl also speaks to the prodigiousness of Lincoln as a birthplace of ideas that have long served to place the city on the map.
Ancient Athens is well-known as the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy and the Socratic method. “Owls to Athens” was coined in ancient times because the owl was so symbolic of the city. As home to institutions of democracy and higher learning, the owl symbolizes Lincoln as the “Athens of the plains.”

For these reasons, serves as a powerful metaphor for the city of Lincoln and its inhabitants. And if you needed any further reason, consider this: his name is Owlbraham Lincoln, a nod to the beloved former president and city named after him. With Owlbraham as their guide, the people of Lincoln can continue to embrace change and move boldly into the future.