The flag has the city seal emblazoned on quartered background, with each section representing a country that once controlled Detroit.

The upper fly (right) quarter represents Great Britain, which controlled the fort from 1760 to 1796; it has three gold lions on a red field, imitating the Royal Arms of England.

The lower fly has 13 red and white stripes and the upper hoist has 13 white stars on a blue field, representing the original Thirteen Colonies of the United States.

[2] The two Latin mottos read Speramus Meliora and Resurget Cineribus, meaning "We hope for better things" and "It will rise from the ashes", which was written by Gabriel Richard after the Great Fire of 1805.

The fire caused the entire city to burn with only one building saved from the flames.