Idaho Flag

The flag of Idaho is a state seal on a field of blue, a design common among U.S. state flags. Its central feature is the Great Seal of the State of Idaho, which is rendered in full color and rich detail. The flag's deep blue background is consistent with the color used in many other state and national flags, symbolizing vigilance and justice.

The design prominently displays the state's name on a red banner beneath the seal. The seal itself is a complex emblem featuring a female figure (Justice), a miner, and various natural resources. This intricate central image makes the Idaho flag one of the more detailed and heraldically complex state banners in the United States.

The flag's primary meaning is derived from the symbolism within the state seal. The central figures—a woman representing Justice and a male miner—signify the state's founding principles of equality and its historical economic foundation in mining. Surrounding imagery includes sheaves of grain representing agriculture, and the elk's head symbolizing the state's wildlife.

The deep blue field of the flag is a traditional color representing vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The red banner bearing the state's name adds a bold contrast and emphasizes state identity. The seal's outer ring contains the text "Great Seal of the State of Idaho" and a five-pointed star, a symbol often associated with light and guidance.

The flag was first adopted in March 12, 1907, and featured only the state seal on a blue field. This original design was created by the First Idaho Infantry for the Spanish-American War. The flag was later modified in 1957 to add a red banner with gold fringe containing the words "State of Idaho" beneath the seal, as specified by the state legislature.

The design has remained unchanged since the 1957 update. The flag's history is directly tied to the adoption and modifications of the Great Seal of Idaho, which was originally designed in 1891 by Emma Edwards Green, the only woman to design a state seal.