Flag of Wyoming (US state)

The flag of the state of Wyoming is a striking and instantly recognizable symbol of the American West. Adopted on January 31, 1917, it is a design that is both simple and rich with meaning, encapsulating the state's rugged landscape, its historical identity, and its forward-thinking values. The flag's central image of a bison, branded with the state seal, is a powerful tribute to Wyoming's nickname, "The Equality State."

Flag Design, Symbolism, and Colors

The Wyoming flag's design is a testament to its concise and impactful symbolism.

• Colors and Arrangement: The flag has a rectangular field of dark blue. This blue is framed by a thin white inner border and a thick red outer border.

  • Red: The red represents the Native Americans who lived in the region, symbolizing the courage, justice, and purity of their people. It is a powerful nod to the state’s indigenous history.

  • White: The white represents purity and righteousness.

  • Blue: The blue represents the sky and the mountains, symbolizing fidelity, justice, and virility. The blue of the flag is a deep, rich color that evokes the vastness of the Wyoming sky.

• The Central Image: The heart of the flag is a silhouetted American bison (or buffalo) in the center. The bison is an iconic symbol of the West and its wild nature. On the bison's side is the Great Seal of the State of Wyoming.

• The Seal on the Bison: This unique feature is a seal within a symbol. The seal depicts a woman holding a banner that reads "Equal Rights," a direct reference to Wyoming being the first state to grant women the right to vote and hold public office in 1869. Other elements on the seal, such as a cowboy, a miner, and a sheaf of wheat, represent the state's key industries and its agricultural heritage. The date "1869" on the seal marks the year the Wyoming Territory was organized and the year women's suffrage was enacted.

A Brief History of the Flag's Creation and Adoption

The history of the Wyoming flag is a fascinating story of a design contest and a visionary artist.

• The Design Contest of 1916: In 1916, a contest was held by the Daughters of the American Revolution to design an official state flag. More than 30 entries were submitted.

• The Winning Design: The winning entry was submitted by a then-23-year-old art student named Verna Keays. Her design was a simple, yet powerful concept: a bison, an animal native to the region, with the state seal branded on its side, symbolizing that the seal's values are permanently stamped onto the state's identity. She originally proposed a bison facing away from the hoist (the flagpole), but this was changed to facing the hoist for proper flag etiquette.

• Official Adoption in 1917: The Wyoming Legislature officially adopted the design as the state flag on January 31, 1917. The final design remains virtually unchanged from her original concept, a testament to its timeless quality.

Historical Context and the State of Wyoming

The Wyoming flag is a perfect summary of the state's identity. The bison represents the ruggedness, wildness, and vast natural beauty of the land. The branding of the seal onto the bison shows that the state's unique political and social values are an inherent part of its character. The motto on the seal, "Equal Rights," is a direct link to a pivotal moment in American history when Wyoming led the nation in championing women's suffrage. The flag is a constant reminder of the state’s pioneering spirit and its role in fighting for justice and equality.

Significance for Residents

For residents of Wyoming, the flag is a profound source of pride. The bison is not just an animal; it is a symbol of their heritage, their connection to the land, and their resilient spirit. The motto of Equal Rights on the seal is a central part of the state's identity, representing a legacy of fairness and justice that resonates deeply with its people. The flag is a banner that unites them under a shared identity of independence, rugged individualism, and a deep respect for the principles of equality.

Interesting Facts

• The bison on the flag is a silhouette, not a detailed drawing, which makes the flag a clean and modern design despite its age.

• The state's official motto is "Equal Rights," and this is prominently displayed on the seal on the flag, making it one of the few state flags with a clear political statement.

• Verna Keays, the designer of the flag, was a former student at the Art Institute of Chicago. She was paid a modest prize for her winning design.

• The bison on the flag faces the flagpole. If the flag were to be reversed, the bison would face away, which is considered an improper display. This detail is a subtle nod to flag etiquette.

• The red outer border is a specific and unique feature, and it is sometimes called a "fimbriation," which is a vexillological term for a narrow border that separates two other colors.

• The flag was one of the earliest flags to be adopted with a modern, streamlined design, avoiding the overly complex designs common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the demonstration images, full-size flags are shown with proportions of 2:3, and hand-held flags with proportions of 1:2.