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Flag of Wyoming

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Wyoming
UseCivil and state flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagReverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion7:10
AdoptedJanuary 31, 1917; 108 years ago (1917-01-31)
DesignA dark blue field bordered by white and red; in the centre is the white silhouette of a bison bearing the state seal.
Designed byVerna Keays

The flag of Wyoming was officially adopted to represent the U.S. state of Wyoming on January 31, 1917. The flag consists of the silhouette of an American bison, a symbol of fidelity, justice, and virility. The bison also represents the local fauna; the intricate state seal on it is not of such bold design.[1] The red symbolizes both the Native Americans and the blood of pioneers who gave their lives. Thoroughout white is a symbol of purity and uprightness; the blue is the color of the skies and distant mountains.

Statute

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Flag of Wyoming flying below the United States flag.
The Wyoming state flag as depicted in the 1976 bicentennial postage stamp series.

The 2024 Wyoming Statutes, Title 8, Chapter 3, § 8-3-102 defines the state flag as follows:

The width of the flag shall be seven-tenths (7/10) of its length; the outside border shall be in red, the width of which shall be one-twentieth (1/20) of the length of the flag; next to the border shall be a stripe of white on the four (4) sides of the field, which shall be in width one-fortieth (1/40) of the length of the flag. The remainder of the flag shall be a blue field, in the center of which shall be a white silhouetted buffalo, the length of which shall be one-half (1/2) of the length of the blue field; the other measurements of the buffalo shall be in proportion to its length. On the ribs of the buffalo shall be the great seal of the state of Wyoming in blue. The seal shall be in diameter one-fifth (1/5) the length of the flag. Attached to the flag shall be a cord of gold with gold tassels. The same colors shall be used in the flag, red, white and blue, as are used in the flag of the United States of America.[2]

Design of the seal

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Main article: Seal of Wyoming

The great seal of Wyoming, as defined in the 2024 Wyoming Statutes, Title 8, Chapter 3, § 8-3-101, is as follows:[3]

  • Circular seal with the outer rim inscribed "Great Seal of the State of Wyoming"
  • Central pedestal with an eagle resting on a shield, the shield bearing a star and the number "44"
  • Draped female figure modeled on the Louvre's "Victory," standing on the pedestal and holding a staff with a banner reading "Equal Rights," with broken chains hanging from her wrists
  • Male figures flanking the pedestal representing the livestock and mining industries
  • Two pillars in the background, each supporting a lighted lamp
  • Scrolls around the pillars inscribed "Livestock" and "Grain" (right) and "Mines" and "Oil" (left)
  • Dates "1869–1890" at the base of the pedestal

Symbolism

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The symbolism of the Wyoming state seal as detailed in the statute reflects both the state's history and values: the eagle and shield represent the United States and Wyoming's position as the 44th state; the central female figure embodies the political position and rights of women, with broken chains signifying freedom and progress; the male figures symbolize the key industries of livestock and mining; the two pillars and lamps signify the light of knowledge; the scrolls identify the primary economic sectors; and the dates "1869–1890" mark the organization of the Wyoming Territory and the state's admission to the Union.[3]

History

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Pre-official flags (before 1917)

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According to The Wyoming Commonwealth, during the 1890 Admission day paraded in Cheyenne, a lady named Mrs. Fannie Oilerenshaw carried with her what was described as a state flag.[4] The design was not described. Another mention of a state flag was in 1910. It was being sent to the Virginia Fair by Adjutant General P. A. Gatchell.[5] The flag was not described.

Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Depiction of Rep. Frederick's 1911 proposal, based on the description

In February of 1911, a bill was introduced by Representative Pep Frederick to the house to proposed a state flag.[6][7] The bill didn't pass the house with the state not having an official flag for another 6 years. The flag was described as:

Said FLAG shall consist of three alternate stripes of pale blue and white bunting, silk, or other appropriate material; said stripes to be equal width and parallel with the staff, the white stripe being the middle one and to have in its longitudinal center a correct outline or color reproduction of the STATE SEAL whose diameter shall be five-sixth's... of the width of the white stripe; the proportion of the flag being a width of two-thirds... its length.

— H.B. No. 0197 A Bill for an Act providing to create a STATE FLAG for the STATE of WYOMING [8]

Current flag (1917–present)

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Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Verna Keays' original design
The Wyoming state flag presented to the Post Office Department by a delegation from Wyoming, 1926

In 1916, the Wyoming Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) ran a contest inviting the public to submit possible designs for a Wyoming flag. A prize of $20 (equivalent to $578 in 2024)[9] was offered to the winner, and the DAR received a total of 37 entries. They chose a drawing by Verna Keays, a recent graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago. On January 31, 1917, Governor Robert D. Carey signed the state flag bill into law and the bison flag was officially adopted.

DAR regent Grace Raymond Hebard, a professor at the University of Wyoming, suffragist and scholar, contributed suggestions for changes after the design had been accepted. In Keays' original design, the one approved by Wyoming's legislature, the bison faces toward the fly, symbolizing its former freedom to roam the plains of Wyoming. Hebard thought that if the bison were to face toward the hoist, the design would be more balanced (animals generally face the hoist on flags, as they would the wind). In the end, all Wyoming flags from the first batch produced onward showed the bison facing the hoist, although this change was never officially adopted by the Wyoming legislature.[10]

Other flags

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  • 44 star American flag flown to celebrated Wyoming statehood[11]
    44 star American flag flown to celebrated Wyoming statehood[11]
  • Flag carried by 1st Wyoming Volunteer Infantry Battalion during the Spanish-American War[12][13]
    Flag carried by 1st Wyoming Volunteer Infantry Battalion during the Spanish-American War[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ Znamierowski, A (2006). The World Encyclopedia of Flags: The Definitive Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Anness Publishing. p. 199.
  2. ^ "Wyoming Statutes § 8-3-102 — Adoption, Use and Specifications of State Flag; Penalty for Misuse". Justia US Law. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  3. ^ a b "Wyoming Statutes § 8-3-101 — Great Seal of the State of Wyoming". Justia US Law. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  4. ^ The Wyoming Commonwealth, July 27, 1890
  5. ^ "The Rocky Mountain News (Daily) October 3, 1910 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection". www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  6. ^ Bill Barlow's budget, February 22, 1911
  7. ^ The Laramie Republican, February 18, 1911
  8. ^ "HB0197".
  9. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  10. ^ World Trade Press, A to Z the USA: Wyoming[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "A rare 44-Star American National Flag commemorating Wyoming statehood Patent date August 12, 1890". www.bidsquare.com. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  12. ^ "Ogden Daily Standard | 1898-06-05 | Page 1 | The Troops at Cheyenne". newspapers.lib.utah.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  13. ^ State Museum 1898 Spanish-American War Flag returns
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