The Flag of the United Federation of Planets was a patriotic banner that consisted of a blue background with a white seal of the Federation above the words "UNITED FEDERATION of PLANETS."

On some occasions, the flag read "...OF PLANETS" with capital OF, such as in " Take Me Out to the Holosuite "."

After viewing the video presentation on the Genesis Device aboard Kruge's Bird-of-Prey in 2285, Maltz was impressed with the devices ability to "make planets". Kruge, who believed it instead to be a great weapon, however mocked the presentation, refusing to believe that the whole project was as wholesome as was presented, stating, "Oh yes, ...new cities, homes in the country, ...your woman at your side, children playing at your feet. And overhead, fluttering in the breeze, the Flag of the Federation. Charming." (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

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Traditions

The Flag of the Federation was often draped over the photon torpedo caskets of fallen Starfleet officers. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; DS9: "The Sound of Her Voice", "Tears of the Prophets"; DIS: "Project Daedalus")

In the 23rd century, Constitution-class starships such as the USS Defiant sometimes displayed the flag in their briefing rooms. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II")

The flag was also present at Starfleet courts martial, such as the one for the Nova Squadron in 2368. (TNG: "The First Duty")

It was also displayed in Deep Space 9's briefing room during various official ceremonies, such as Worf's court martial, and the induction ceremony when Bajor (almost) joined the Federation. (DS9: "Rules of Engagement", "Rapture")

In accordance with an old Earth tradition, the flag was flown at a baseball game on the holosuite on Deep Space 9 when the Niners and the Logicians played a game in 2375. They also played the Anthem of the United Federation of Planets, taking their hats off and facing the flag. (DS9: "Take Me Out to the Holosuite")

Variations of the Federation Flag and Emblem

Federation pennant

The emblem could be seen on the Treaty of Bajor document which ended the Dominion War in 2375 and on the newly created Starbase 6 in the remastered episode of "The Ultimate Computer".

Appendices

Background information

From at least 2268 until at least 2375 this emblem was used on pennants, Starfleet installations and official documents of the Federation. ( TOS : " And the Children Shall Lead ", TOS-R : " The Ultimate Computer ", DS9 : " What You Leave Behind ")

The first "Flag of the Federation" in Star Trek was visible across Spock's coffin in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. As it hadn't been designed yet, the flag was missing from the Enterprise's conference room throughout The Original Series. An alternate Federation flag with yellow, orange, green and teal colors was seen in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country at the Khitomer Conference. [1]

According to the Star Trek Sticker Book (Pg. 9), by Michael Okuda, "At one time, it was thought that the three bright stars in the starfield might represent Earth, Vulcan, and the Klingon Homeworld, since during early episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation it was thought that the Klingons might have actually joined the Federation. When later episodes made it clear they had not, the three bright stars were left undefined."

In Star Trek: Enterprise it was stated that the three brightest stars were the stars of Vulcan, Andoria, and Earth as they were the first three members of the United Federation of Planets. However, if this were the case, there should be a fourth bright star as Tellar is also a founding member.

As described in Star Trek: Action!, in Deep Space Nine "Tears of the Prophets", someone was looking at the photon torpedo prop and couldn't quite put their finger on what was missing. They then disappeared, and came back with the Flag of the Federation to drape over it.