Because the bars must be at least six inches (150 mm) wide, small representations of the Alabama flag do not meet the legal definition.

On January 11, 1861, the Alabama Secession Convention passed a resolution designating an official flag.

Designed by several women from Montgomery, final touches were made by Francis Corra of that city.

The legislation introduced by Representative John W. A. Sanford Jr. stipulates: "The flag of the state of Alabama shall be a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a field of white.

[15] She said Sanford's design was meant to preserve some of the distinctive features of the Confederate battle flag, particularly the Saint Andrews Cross.

[8] More recent commentators note that the Alabama flag was adopted during a period of promotion of the "Lost Cause" of the culture of the antebellum South.

[17][18] But other contemporary commentators, such as Steve Murray, Director of the Alabama Department of History and Archives, believe the origins of the flag are unclear.

"[19] Murray also noted that Alabama may have wanted to approve a new state flag to prepare for an exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, later that year.

The bottom saltire contains the state military crest, which consists of a cotton plant with full bursting boll.