Every June, the streets of San Francisco are lined with rainbows and Pride merchandise. As the birthplace of the Pride Flag, flying the colorful flags is almost mandatory. Thanks to Gilbert Baker, the designer of the Pride Flag, the rainbow icon has become a Pride staple across the globe. Originally featuring 8 stripes, the widely known six-color version comprises red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

Individually, these colors represent different things across different cultures. Together, they represent the diversity and unity in the LGBTQ+ community.

Red - Life

In many cultures, red is associated with life and vitality, and the same symbolism is carried over in the context of the pride flag. The red stripe represents life and celebrates the resilience and existence of the LGBTQ+ community. It also highlights the significance of being seen and living life authentically, even in the face of adversity.

Orange - Healing

In a time of reform, the LGBTQ+ community looked to heal and acknowledge the pain it had endured. The orange stripe is meant to evoke energy and holistic well-being and recognize the efforts community members have made to create a safe space. It represents the ongoing efforts to support each other through difficult times and the importance of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people.

Yellow - Sunlight

The yellow in the flag is the sunlight that nurtures the community. It is the life force needed to sustain the life of the community. This comes from optimism and hope that there will be a brighter future. The yellow represents the joy of being yourself and the authenticity welcomed in the LGBTQ+ spaces.

Green - Nature

Recognizing the natural world, growth, and diversity is the green stripe. It speaks to the beauty in diversity. Much like the natural world, the LGBTQ+ community is diverse and made up of all different types of people. There is beauty in having a community with this much inclusivity.

Blue - Harmony & Peace

The color blue is widely accepted as the color used for calmness and tranquility. It’s no wonder that the blue represents harmony and peace in the pride flag. In order for a community to grow together, they must have an understanding that there must be peace and mutual respect. In a diverse community, inclusivity and acceptance work in tandem with the commitment to peace and harmony.

Violet - Spirit

The color violet is associated with depth, richness, and intensity. In the Pride flag, it takes on a similar association. Baker assigned violet to represent spirit. There is spirit in the LGBTQ+ movement, much like there is in every individual. It represents the honoring of one's true self. The violet honors the spirit it takes to live authentically and tenaciously.

The Pride flag has had many iterations since its debut. Dwindling in colors and later additions have reflected the progress made in LGBTQ+ spaces. The six-color Pride flag remains a cornerstone of modern Pride celebrations and serves as the universal symbol for LGBTQ+ pride and rights.