Tocantins was created from the northern portion of the state of Goiás on 1 January 1989, but several separatist movements vouched for its creation throughout Brazil's history.

One such movement adopted a flag with thirteen alternating green and white horizontal stripes with a diagonal red bar with "Velo" (Portuguese: To look after) in the center to represent the proposed state's ambition to look after the best interests of the nation.

[1][2] Raimundo Marinho, former mayor of the municipality of Araguaína, created a flag proposal for the flag of Tocantins that was presented alongside the remarks of CONORTE during the 1988 Constituent Assembly.

The white bar represents the cultivation of peace.

The blue bar represents the state's water sources, whereas the gold bar represents gold and the mineral wealth of the state.