An radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system and RFID tag that include a substrate body having a surface where the substrate body defines a plane of the tag, an RFID integrated circuit disposed on the surface of the substrate body, and an antenna that has an antenna pattern, which is disposed on the substrate body and in electrical communication with the RFID integrated circuit, the antenna generating a radiation pattern with maximum gain along an axis that is substantially coplanar with the tag. The antenna can include a first antenna portion and a second antenna portion, the first antenna portion having a first antenna end and a second antenna end, the first antenna end of the first antenna portion in electrical communication with the RFID integrated circuit and the first antenna portion forming an antenna pattern in a counterclockwise direction, and the second antenna portion having a first antenna end and a second antenna end, the first antenna end of the second antenna portion in electrical communication with the RFID integrated circuit and the second antenna portion forming an antenna pattern in a clockwise direction.