Introduction
The flag of Oregon is a distinctive two-sided state flag, one of only three such official flags in the United States. Its obverse features a navy blue field with the state coat of arms in gold, surrounded by 33 gold stars and the inscription "STATE OF OREGON" above and the year of statehood, "1859", below. The reverse side presents a simplified, gold-on-blue depiction of a North American beaver, the official state animal.
The design is categorized as a seal on a bedsheet (SOB) style, a common pattern for U.S. state flags, but its unique double-sided nature sets it apart. The flag's proportions are 3:5, and its detailed coat of arms includes a wagon, an eagle, a shield, and symbols of agriculture and commerce. The prominent use of navy blue and gold creates a formal and traditional appearance.
Meaning & Symbolism
The symbols on the flag's obverse are derived from the state seal and represent Oregon's history, industry, and natural resources. The central shield depicts a conestoga wagon symbolizing pioneer settlement, with a British man-of-war departing and an American merchant ship arriving, representing the transition of sovereignty. Above the shield, the American bald eagle signifies protection and federal union.
The surrounding imagery includes a sheaf of wheat, a plow, and a pickaxe, representing agriculture and mining. The 33 stars denote Oregon's order of admission as the 33rd state. On the reverse, the beaver symbolizes the state's early fur trade economy and its nickname, "The Beaver State." The color gold signifies wealth and prosperity, while navy blue represents vigilance and justice.
History of the Oregon Flag
The flag was adopted by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on February 26, 1925. It was designed based on a concept by Meier & Frank department store seamstress Mae Harrington, who won a design competition. The flag was first flown on April 15, 1925, at the dedication of the USS Oregon mast in Portland's Battleship Oregon Park.
A minor standardization of the design details occurred in 1969. There have been periodic discussions and legislative proposals to simplify the flag to a single-sided design, but the original two-sided 1925 design remains the official standard.
Curiosities
- Oregon's flag is one of only three two-sided U.S. state flags, alongside Massachusetts and the now-obsolete 1901-1905 Maine flag.
- The beaver on the reverse is the only non-seal, pictorial element on any U.S. state flag.
- The 33 stars on the flag represent Oregon as the 33rd state, but they are arranged in a pattern that does not match the U.S. flag's star arrangement from 1859.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Oregon 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 official proportions are 3:5. The obverse features the state coat of arms centered on a navy blue field. The coat of arms, including the shield, eagle, and surrounding elements, is to be rendered in gold or yellow. It is encircled by 33 five-pointed stars, also in gold. The words "STATE OF OREGON" are placed in an arc above the seal, and the year "1859" is placed below, all in gold block letters. On the reverse, a gold beaver is centered, facing to the observer's left, on the same navy blue field.
Flags Similar to Oregon Flag
Common Misidentifications
From a distance or when folded, the obverse is often generically confused with other U.S. state flags featuring a blue field and a complex seal.