【美国精神】第96期

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Explanation:

    The U.S. flag is often called the Stars and Stripes, because those words describe what the flag looks like. The flag has 13 stripes, which are horizontal lines (or lines that run from left to right). The stripes alternate between red and white, meaning that first there is a red stripe, then a white stripe, then another red stripe, and so on. The upper left-hand corner is a smaller blue rectangle with 50 white stars, which are objects with five points.

    The U.S. flag has a lot of symbolism, meaning that it uses images to present ideas. For example, the symbolism of the 50 stars is that there is one star for each state. The 50 stars are identical, having the same size and shape. This symbolizes² the equality (or sameness) of the states, with no state having more power or importance than any other state.

    The symbolism of the 13 stripes is that each stripe represents one of the original 13 colonies, or the original pieces of land that were owned by Great Britain. After the Revolutionary War, each of the colonies became one state in the new United States.

    Some people think that the flag’s colors have symbolism, too. They often say that the white stripes symbolize¹ purity or goodness, the red stripes symbolize strength and courage (or bravery and not being afraid), and the stars symbolize heaven (or the place where Christians³ believe God lives and where good people go when they die). But the founding fathers did not give special meaning to the colors of the flag. Those meanings were created after the flag had already been adopted (or chosen to be used) by the U.S. government.

    Sometimes the flag is decorated (or made to look especially nice) for special events. At these times, a gold fringe is put around the flag, which is a lot of short gold-colored threads (or pieces of string). The U.S. flag with gold fringe is sometimes seen in parades, which are celebrations where many people walk down the street slowly, often with flags.

 

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