Flags aren't just for decorating your room or waving at sports games.

They tell a story.

They can symbolize a group's heritage and history, help people within that group identify each other, and signal leadership.

Take a second to think of types of flags you know.

Maybe the flag is from your favorite team, state, or country.

Maybe it's a cool one you saw online or in your emojis.

A flag could even represent something about you.

This is Georgia's state flag, and it's representative of our history, values, and principles.

Even though it's been through a lot of changes over time, a few things about its design have remained the same, including four important principles: wisdom, justice, moderation, and courage.

Georgia's flag design was adopted back in 2003, but the state seal on it has been around since 1799.

That's literally centuries of history wrapped into one design.

The three pillars you see on the seal represent some key principles or guiding rules for Georgia.

Wisdom, justice, and moderation.

Think of the pillars like the foundation of a house.

You need something strong to hold it up.

These pillars, or principle beliefs, hold up our society: wisdom, justice, and moderation.

That lived as our unofficial state motto until Governor Eugene Talmadge included it in Georgia's official state pledge in 1935.

At the time, it sounded like, "I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: wisdom, justice, and moderation."

Sound familiar?

It's a lot like the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States, but with a Georgia twist.

Let's examine what makes our pledge unique-- those principles for which it stands.

The first principle is wisdom.

This pillar applies to the legislative branch of Georgia's government, which makes state laws.

The next principle is justice.

This applies to just and fair decisions made by the judicial branch.

The last principle, or pillar, is moderation, and it applies to use of moderation in administering laws by the executive branch.

These beliefs symbolize the checks and balances in our state government.

And I didn't forget to mention this guy.

Some say the soldier represents courage, and lawmakers pushed to have the pledge amended to include it.

Courage is that extra something that makes the pledge feel complete, like the missing piece of a puzzle.

In 2022, a bill adding courage was adopted into law.

So now our pledge is, "I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: wisdom, justice, moderation, and courage."

The Georgia Pledge may not be as well-known as the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States, but its message is still really important.

Wisdom, justice, moderation, and courage have existed as virtues since ancient Greece, but they're more than just old-timey ideas.

And they don't just apply to our state government.

These values are like guidelines for life, helping you make smart decisions and be the best version of yourself.

Whether you're deciding what's fair, keeping your cool when things get heated, or just having the guts to go out for something you believe in, these principles can help guide you.

So yeah, our flag might seem like just another design, but there's a lot of meaning behind it.

And while the four principles in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia flag haven't made it on the books as our official motto, wisdom, justice, moderation, and courage still appear on the state flag, seal, and the Georgia quarter.

So here's a thought.

If you could add another pillar to the flag, what principle would it represent?

Maybe creativity, because Georgia is all about innovation.

Or community, to represent the spirit of teamwork and togetherness.

What values do you think we should stand for in the future?

Brainstorm some ideas and think about what you'd add to the Georgia flag if you had the chance.

Who knows?

Maybe one day we'll be waving a flag with your new principle on it.