Introduction
The flag of Wyoming features a deep blue field with a white-bordered red bison centered upon it. The state seal is superimposed on the bison's flank, and the design is completed by the red, white, and blue colors of the national flag. This distinctive design makes it one of the most recognizable state flags in the United States.
The flag's layout is unique, with the bison facing the hoist, a deliberate choice to symbolize the animal's historical movement across the plains. The white border around the bison ensures the figure stands out clearly against the blue background. The overall design is both symbolic and practical, ensuring visibility and legibility.
Adopted in 1917, the flag's elements were chosen to represent Wyoming's identity, economy, and natural beauty. The red bison and the state seal are the flag's central and most complex visual components. Its clean, iconic design has earned it high marks from vexillologists for its adherence to good flag design principles.
Meaning & Symbolism
The blue field represents the sky, vast open spaces, and fidelity, justice, and virility. The white border symbolizes purity and uprightness, while the red bison (often described as a buffalo) stands for the native wildlife and the historical significance of the bison to the region. The bison also represents the local nickname, "The Equality State."
On the bison's flank is the Great Seal of Wyoming, which contains several symbolic elements. The central figures of a woman and pillars represent the state's motto, "Equal Rights." The surrounding imagery includes symbols of Wyoming's key industries: livestock, mining, and agriculture. The dates 1869 and 1890 commemorate the organization of the territorial government and statehood, respectively.
History of the Wyoming Flag
The flag was adopted by the Fourteenth State Legislature on January 31, 1917. The design was the result of a contest sponsored by the Wyoming Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), with the winning entry submitted by Verna Keays of Buffalo, Wyoming. Her original design placed the bison facing the hoist, which she felt gave the animal a more natural appearance against the wind.
Governor Robert D. Carey signed the bill into law, and the flag was first unfurled on July 4, 1917. A minor controversy arose when the first manufactured flags incorrectly showed the bison facing the fly; this was later corrected by law in 1920 to adhere to Keays's original design with the bison facing the hoist.
Curiosities
- Wyoming is the only U.S. state flag to feature a bison, an animal deeply associated with the American West.
- The flag's designer, Verna Keays, was awarded a cash prize of $20 for her winning design in the DAR contest.
- In a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), the Wyoming flag ranked 23rd in design quality out of 72 U.S. and Canadian state, provincial, and territorial flags.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Wyoming 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 7:10. The blue field occupies the entire flag. The red bison is centered, with its dimensions scaled to be in harmonious proportion to the flag's size. The white border around the bison is one-twentieth the width of the flag. The state seal is printed in blue and white on the bison's flank, with a diameter one-fifth the flag's hoist measurement.
Flags Similar to Wyoming Flag
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique bison motif, though the color scheme is common among U.S. state flags.