Oregon Flag

The Oregon state flag also can be put into the long line of state flags that bears a symbol, coat of arms or seal in the center of a dark blue field. But there is one big difference between the flag of Oregon and other state’s flags. The Oregon flag has a different design in its center on each of the sides. The both sides have in common that the field is navy blue, while the design is in golden color and some of the more official flags actually have also a golden fringe. The front or also called obverse of the Oregon flag displays the Great Seal of the state of Oregon surrounded by thirty-three stars. Above the Seal, the words “State of Oregon” in golden letters and below the seal the date 1859 fills the design. The 33 stars represent Oregon entering as the 33rd state into the United States union and 1859 is actually the year that Oregon became a state. The reverse side of Oregon’s flag depicts a beaver, which is also the state animal of Oregon. The seal of Oregon shows a shield with a bald eagle on top. On the shield a bright sun with all its sunrays is setting over the Pacific Ocean. The scenery in the shield besides the ocean shows mountains, forests and a settler’s wagon.

These symbols represent the natural resources of Oregon and the wealth in these resources that the settlers had in the early years of Oregon. In the foreground of the shield a plow, sheaves of wheat and a pick represent the industry, agriculture and mining in Oregon. Two ships on the ocean in the background of the scene area British and an American vessel. These ships symbolize both countries’ claim to the territory as well as the arriving of the Americans and leaving of the British. It is also said that the two ships represent commerce and trade in Oregon, national and international. The shield also displays a ribbon with the words “The Union”. This as well as the bald eagle as the crest of the shield represents Oregon’s support for the United States. The current flag of Oregon was adopted in 1925.

In general it is more expensive to manufacture a flag with two different designs on each side and there is only one other flag in the world that is above the state level that has a different two-sided design and that is the flag of Paraquay.

Oregon flags can be bought at any of the flag stores across the United States. These stores also offer Oregon maps and flags as well as many other flag merchandise article. Oregon’s flag is proudly displayed in the capital Salem.