Wyoming State Flag

State Flag of Wyoming

The state flag of Wyoming includes references to both the state itself and its distinctive wildlife in order to create a flag that embodies every aspect of the state's heritage. The Wyoming flag is one of the few that has not had any legal changes made to its design since it was first adopted, although the flag is not precisely the same as the one that was first proposed to the state government.

Colors and Symbolism of the Wyoming Flag

The Wyoming state flag has a blue field that is surrounded by a white border, and that white border has a red border of its own. The center of the flag includes a white bison that faces towards the hoist. The state seal of Wyoming is proudly displayed on the bison's body.

The blue section of the Wyoming flag represents the blue sky, while the white section is meant as a symbol of virtue and purity. The red part of the design represents the blood of both the pioneers and the Native Americans who have died in Wyoming. The bison is a symbol of the state's wildlife, while the seal is a symbol of the state and its government. The state seal is placed on the bison's body as a reference to the practice of cattle branding.

History of the Wyoming State Flag

The state flag of Wyoming was designed by Verna Keays in 1916. She submitted her design to a contest that was being sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution in order to develop a flag to represent Wyoming, which was one of the few states in the Union that had not adopted a flag by that time.

The design was formally authorized for use as the Wyoming state flag by the state's legislature and governor in 1917, but only the first batch of flags adhered to the design. Verna Keays' design had the bison facing the flag's fly as a symbol of the bison's historical freedom to roam across the state, but all of the flags after the first batch have the bison facing the hoist. The change was suggested by Grace Hebard because the vast majority of animals on flags are pointed towards the flag's hoist. The legislature never formally approved the change, but the design is commonly used without any objections.

A short history of the Wyoming State flag
The original Wyoming State Flag had the buffalo facing away from the pole, symbolizing the buffalo walking away in the sunset. This was later changed to have the buffalo facing the pole, and therefore the wind direction, representing the buffalo's which face into the winds on the Great Plains. The seal which now appears within the shape of the buffalo was originally cut in 1893, and revised in 1921. The figure of Victory (holding a scroll proclaiming "equal Rights"), stands between two columns, around which are ribbons bearing the names of the chief products of the state.The supporters are a cowboy and a miner and between them at their feet is the shield of the USA. (source: Flags of the World website)

A short history of Wyoming (The Equality State / The Cowboy State)
The eastern part was once subject to France and the Western part to Spain (later Mexico). The US acquired the French Territory in 1803, and the Mexican in 1848. Settlers arrived from 1834 onward. A Territory was organized in 1868.* Originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, the first outside explorers to visit the area were French trappers and a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Eventually the Oregon Trail passed through the area. Wyoming became a territory on July 25, 1868, and a beautiful area in north-western Wyoming became the world's first national park, called Yellowstone National Park. Wyoming was admitted to the Union on July 10, 1890. (*source: wikipedia)

Became a State: July 10, 1890
Capital: Cheyenne
Current Flag Adopted: January 31, 1917
State Motto: Equal Rights