Idaho State Flags

Idaho was the 43rd state admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890. An official state flag was not adopted by the state legislature until 1907. Idaho’s flag design was ranked 64th out of 72 flags across states and provinces in the United States and Canada, according to a 2001 survey.

What is the Design of the Idaho State Flag?

The legislation gave the Idaho Adjutant General control over the final design, and it was suggested to honor the First Idaho Infantry by using their battle flag. The design for the original Idaho state flag goes back to the battle flag which the First Idaho Infantry used in the Philippines in 1899 during the Spanish American War. The battle flag contained a picture based upon the Idaho Territorial Seal, with the name of the regiment under the picture on a blue field. The flag of the state of Idaho consists of the state seal on a field of blue. The flag of Idaho features the state’s Great Seal. The words "State of Idaho" appear in gold letters on a red and gold band below the seal. According to the official description of the flag, there should also be a fringe of gold around the edges, but a long time ago the versions of the flag were not shown until they remodeled the flag after War.

Virtually all Idaho flags made for public and Idaho government consumption are made in standard American manufacturers sizes of 2:3, 5:8, and 3:5 respectively.

What is the Official Seal of Idaho?

The current seal contains the text "Great Seal of the State of Idaho" in the outer ring, with the star that signifies a new light in the galaxy of states. The inner ring contains a banner with the Latin motto, Esto perpetua ("Let it be perpetual" or "It is forever"). A woman, signifying justice, and a man, dressed as a miner, support a shield. The miner represents the chief industry of the state at the time of statehood. Inside, the shield bears images symbolic of the state. The pine tree in the foreground refers to Idaho's immense timber interests.

The original seal for the territory of Idaho was designed and adopted in 1863. However, the seal was modified several times before Idaho was admitted as a state in 1890. Idaho’s current state seal is the only state seal in the United States that was designed by a woman, Emma Edwards Green. Her design had the same emphasis on the state's natural resources as the modern seal, but it lacked the references to the state's industrial heritage. The seal was changed in 1866, and it reached its final form in 1890. Her design was officially adopted by the Idaho legislature in 1891.

When was the Idaho State Flag Adopted?

The current Idaho state flag came into use in the middle of the 20th century, but the seal on it has represented Idaho for a much longer period of time. When the Idaho Legislature got around to thinking about a State flag, the 1907 legislation was written to specify a simple blue flag with the name of the State "...in such colors and of such size and dimensions as shall be prescribed by the adjutant general of the State of Idaho." A silk flag with a blue field, 5 feet by 6 inches fly was created - 4 feet 4 inches on pike is bordered by gilt fringe 2 1/2 inches wide with the State Seal of Idaho in the Center.

This legislation, approved on March 12, 1907, gave the Idaho Adjutant General broad latitude over the final look of the flag. The suggestion was made to honor the First Idaho Infantry by selecting their battle flag to serve the State, replacing the regiment's name with the State name.

"The original flag created in 1907 was displayed in the State Capitol building for many years. It began to look ragged from wear, and was placed in the Idaho Historical Archives. When a Meridian Elementary fourth grade class realized what had happened to the flag, they began a fundraising effort to restore it. $5,000 later, the original Idaho flag was cleaned, mended, preserved and placed on permanent display in the Idaho Historical Museum in Boise."

What does the Idaho State Flag Represent?

The Idaho flag serves as a symbol of honor, heritage and regional pride and is displayed at state buildings. The seal in the center of the flag symbolizes Idaho main industries -- mining, agriculture and forestry -- and highlights the state's natural beauty. The seal contains a woman in a classical dress and a man dressed as a miner who are standing behind a pair of cornucopia. A shield that depicts the state's natural wonders is between the two people.

Displaying the Idaho State Flag?

It may be flown every day in the 43rd state when weather permits.

It may be flown from sunrise until sunset. If it is displayed outdoors in the "Gem of the Mountains", it should be flown from a flagpole.

The Idaho ensign may be flown at night when properly lighted.

The flagpole must be at least two and one-half times as long as the flag.