The Confederate Naval Jack is a rectangular version of the Confederate Battle Flag, which was square in shape, and was flown on the bow of the ship. As was the custom of naval ships it was normally only flown when the ship was in port or entering or leaving a port. An earlier version of the Jack resembled the Bonnie Blue flag with the blue field, but had from seven to thirteen small stars in a circular pattern in the middle of the flag. The design shown above officially became “The Confederate Naval Jack” on May 26, 1863. In contemporary times, it has become the defining symbol of Southern heritage.