It is unusual for a city to have two official flags, but Charlotte does.
The first flag, adopted by the City Council on May 6, 1929, is pictured to the left. The round emblem on the flag is the seal of the city. The tree represents growth. A hornet's nest can be seen on the left tree branch. The hornet's nest has long been a symbol for Charlotte, because in the American Revolution, her citizens fought so fiercely that a British general compared being in Charlotte to being in a hornet's nest. A Liberty cap, such as the kind worn by patriots from the area during the Revolution, hangs from the right tree branch. The hands signify friendship, and the year, 1775, is when the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was signed. This official flag, not flown outside, is kept in the room where the City Council meets.

The second flag, a white crown on a green field, is also shown to the left. This flag was adopted in 1985 and is the one flown outside Government Center on 4th Street. The crown symbolizes unity --all city agencies working together for the benefit of the citizens. More than likely, you have noticed a green crown like this painted on the white cars and trucks owned by the city. Official writing paper used by city agencies has a gold crown at the top.

Mecklenburg County also has a seal, which is used on stationery, cars, trucks, doors, and the county flag. A picture of the seal is shown to the left. The banner in the eagle's claws has the date the Mecklenburg County Declaration of Independence was signed. The inkwell, quill pen, and paper also symbolize the Declaration. The farm buildings represent the county's rural or unincorporated areas, and the office buildings represent the urban or city area. The county seal also has a hornet's nest, and the two different kinds of branches represent modern and traditional times. The seal was designed by Harvey H. Boyd and was adopted by the County Commissioners in October of 1964.