Introduction
The flag of Nevada features a cobalt blue field with a five-pointed silver star in the upper left canton, positioned between two sprays of sagebrush with yellow flowers. Below the star and sagebrush, a golden scroll displays the state's name in black letters, with the word "NEVADA" arched above and "BATTLE BORN" in a straight line below. The overall design is a distinctive state banner that emphasizes Nevada's natural heritage and historical identity.
Adopted in its current form in 1991, the flag's layout is unique among U.S. state flags, with its emblematic elements grouped on the hoist side. The use of silver and gold directly references the state's mining history, particularly the famous Comstock Lode. The flag's design is governed by specific statutory descriptions that dictate the placement and appearance of all its components.
Meaning & Symbolism
The central silver star represents Nevada as the "Silver State," a direct nod to the immense silver deposits that fueled its early economy and statehood. The sagebrush sprays are the state flower, symbolizing Nevada's vast and resilient desert landscape. The cobalt blue background signifies the clear skies common over the state.
The scroll's motto, "BATTLE BORN," commemorates Nevada's entry into the Union during the Civil War in 1864. The colors gold and silver together acknowledge both the precious metal mining heritage and the state's official colors. The overall emblem is intended to project the state's pride in its natural resources and unique history.
History of the Nevada Flag
Nevada's first official state flag was adopted in 1905, featuring a simple design of a blue field with the state seal and the words "Nevada" and "Silver." This was replaced in 1929 by a new design created by Louis Shellback III, which introduced the star, sagebrush, and 'Battle Born' motto in a different arrangement. The 1929 flag placed the elements in the center of the field.
The current design was established by an act of the legislature on May 20, 1991, after a design competition. This revision, based on a submission by Reno artist Raymond C. Baker, moved the emblem to the canton and standardized the layout and colors. The 1991 law corrected longstanding inconsistencies in the flag's reproduction and made minor artistic adjustments to the sagebrush.
Curiosities
- Nevada is one of the few U.S. states whose flag does not feature the color white anywhere in its design.
- The flag's official statute specifies the exact Pantone color codes: Blue (PMS 286C), Silver (PMS 877C), and Gold (PMS 123C).
- In a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), Nevada's flag ranked 55th in design quality out of 72 U.S. and Canadian state, provincial, and territorial flags.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Nevada in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag's proportions are a hoist (width) to fly (length) ratio of 2:3. The emblematic group is contained within a canton that occupies the upper left quarter of the flag. The silver star is centered vertically within this canton, with the sprays of sagebrush extending to the left and right. The scroll's arch and lettering dimensions are specified by law to ensure consistent reproduction.
Flags Similar to Nevada Flag
Common Misidentifications
From a distance, the canton design can be generically confused with other U.S. state or national flags featuring a single star on a blue field, such as Texas or Chile.