
The Best -- 1. New Mexico
"Red and yellow recall the state's Spanish heritage, while the sun symbol comes from the Zia Indians. This distinctive flag appears on the state's license plates and flies widely across the state," -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"Red and yellow recall the state's Spanish heritage, while the sun symbol comes from the Zia Indians. This distinctive flag appears on the state's license plates and flies widely across the state," -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Best -- 2. Texas
"Emblematic of the 'Lone Star State', the flag of Texas uses the national colors and is the best-selling state flag in the country. It once flew over the independent Republic of Texas." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"Emblematic of the 'Lone Star State', the flag of Texas uses the national colors and is the best-selling state flag in the country. It once flew over the independent Republic of Texas." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Best -- 3. Maryland
"This heraldic banner, from the coat of arms of the state's founder, Lord Baltimore, provides a unique motif used in many forms throughout the state. While moderately complex, the design's distinctiveness makes it successful." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"This heraldic banner, from the coat of arms of the state's founder, Lord Baltimore, provides a unique motif used in many forms throughout the state. While moderately complex, the design's distinctiveness makes it successful." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Best -- 4. Alaska
"A 13-year-old native boy designed the flag in 1927. With utmost simplicity, its stars form the 'Big Dipper' constellation and the North Star, aptly representing our northernmost state." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"A 13-year-old native boy designed the flag in 1927. With utmost simplicity, its stars form the 'Big Dipper' constellation and the North Star, aptly representing our northernmost state." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Best -- 5. Arizona
"The yellow and red rays number 13; their color evokes the state's Spanish heritage. The blue and red match Old Glory's colors and the copper star highlights the state's position as the largest producer of copper in the country." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"The yellow and red rays number 13; their color evokes the state's Spanish heritage. The blue and red match Old Glory's colors and the copper star highlights the state's position as the largest producer of copper in the country." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Worst -- 46. Minnesota
"While the state's 'North Star' is hiding in the design, the detail of the multicolored seal is unrecognizable at a distance." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"While the state's 'North Star' is hiding in the design, the detail of the multicolored seal is unrecognizable at a distance." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Worst -- 47. South Dakota
"This flag breaks the rule with a seal AND lettering. The name of the state actually appears twice!" -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"This flag breaks the rule with a seal AND lettering. The name of the state actually appears twice!" -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Worst -- 48. Kansas:
"Since the seal by itself fails to identify the state at any distance, Kansas added its name to the flag. Ironically, the existing 'state banner' -- a sunflower on a blue field -- would prove an outstanding replacement." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"Since the seal by itself fails to identify the state at any distance, Kansas added its name to the flag. Ironically, the existing 'state banner' -- a sunflower on a blue field -- would prove an outstanding replacement." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Worst -- 49. Montana
"Here's another state whose symbol has failed its duty -- so the state's name appeared on the flag in 1981." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"Here's another state whose symbol has failed its duty -- so the state's name appeared on the flag in 1981." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"

The Worst -- 50. Nebraska
"Try identifying this flag when it's up on a pole and flapping in the wind. A great state deserves a great flag, and this isn't it." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"
"Try identifying this flag when it's up on a pole and flapping in the wind. A great state deserves a great flag, and this isn't it." -- Ted Kaye, author of "Good Flag, Bad Flag"