Introduction

The flag of Oklahoma features a distinctive sky blue field with a traditional Osage Nation buffalo-skin shield at its center, crossed by an olive branch and a calumet (peace pipe). The name 'OKLAHOMA' is inscribed in white capital letters below the shield. This design uniquely blends Native American and European-American symbols to represent the state's heritage and ideals.

The sky blue background is a direct reference to the blue field of the Choctaw flag, honoring one of the major Native American tribes forcibly relocated to the region. The central emblem is a complex, multi-colored symbol rich in meaning, making the flag one of the most detailed and symbolic among U.S. state flags.

Adopted in 1925 and later modified in 1941 and 2006, the flag is recognized for its unique color palette and intricate central device. Its design avoids common flag elements like stripes or stars in favor of a singular, culturally significant composite symbol.

Meaning & Symbolism

The sky blue field symbolizes devotion and represents the first flag carried by Choctaw soldiers during the American Civil War. The central Osage shield, made of buffalo hide and decorated with seven eagle feathers, is a symbol of protection and represents the Native American nations of the state.

Crossing the shield are two symbols of peace: an olive branch, derived from European tradition, and a calumet or peace pipe, central to many Native American cultures. The six golden-brown crosses on the shield are stylized representations of stars, signifying high ideals. The white 'OKLAHOMA' lettering provides clear state identification.

History of the Oklahoma Flag

The first official state flag, adopted in 1911, was a simple red field with a white star, a blue number '46' (for Oklahoma's admission as the 46th state), and the letters 'OK'. Dissatisfaction with this design led to a competition, and the current emblem was designed by Louise Fluke and officially adopted on April 2, 1925.

The flag was modified in 1941 to change the wording from 'OKLAHOMA 1907' to just 'OKLAHOMA'. A final modification occurred in 2006 to standardize the exact colors of the flag, ensuring consistency in its reproduction. The design has remained otherwise unchanged since its inception.

Curiosities

  • Oklahoma's flag is one of only four U.S. state flags to feature a shade of blue other than the traditional navy blue, using a distinctive sky blue.
  • The flag's design is so detailed that in 2001, the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) survey ranked it 39th in design quality out of 72 North American flags (U.S., Canadian, and Mexican states/provinces).
  • The six crosses on the buffalo shield are officially described as 'Indian signs for stars', representing high ideals.

Download Flag

Download the flag of Oklahoma in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.

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Construction Sheet

The flag's official proportions are a 2:3 ratio (width to length). The central shield emblem is positioned in the center of the sky blue field. The height of the letters in 'OKLAHOMA' is specified as 2/15 of the flag's hoist (vertical height). The shield and its accompanying symbols are sized to be visually balanced within the field, with precise color specifications (PMS, CMYK, RGB) defined by state law for accurate reproduction.

Flags Similar to Oklahoma Flag

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Common Misidentifications

Rarely misidentified due to its unique central emblem, but the light blue field can be loosely associated with other flags using a similar shade from a distance.