The red stripes on the U.S. flag are commonly said to represent valor and bravery , while the 13 stripes together represent the original 13 colonies.

What the stripes mean

  • 13 stripes: the original 13 colonies that formed the first U.S. states.
  • Red color: valor and bravery.
  • White color: purity and innocence.
  • Blue field: vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

A small note

Some sources also say the red reflects the blood shed in defense of freedom, but the most official-style wording is the simpler “valor and bravery.”

Part| Meaning
---|---
Red stripes| Valor and bravery
White stripes| Purity and innocence
13 stripes| The original 13 colonies
Blue canton| Vigilance, perseverance, and justice

TL;DR: the red stripes on the U.S. flag symbolize bravery, and the full set of 13 stripes stands for the original colonies.