Flag of West Virginia
stateThe flag of West Virginia was adopted on March 7, 1929. White field with a blue border and the state coat of arms. It uses 4 colours: white, blue, green and gold. The official proportions are 10:19.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Country | West Virginia |
| Official Country Name | State of West Virginia |
| Continent | North America |
| Region | United States |
| ISO Country Code | US-WV |
| Internet Domain | .us |
| Calling Code | +1 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | English |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | March 7, 1929 |
| Current Version Adopted | March 7, 1929 |
| Flag Proportion | 10:19 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | White, Blue, Green, Gold |
| Design Type | White field with a blue border and the state coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official State Flag |
| Government Authority | State Government of West Virginia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #002868 | 0, 40, 104 | 100, 62, 0, 59 | |
| Green | #3D7C47 | 61, 124, 71 | 51, 0, 43, 51 | |
| Gold | #FFD100 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents purity |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the border, matching the Union |
| Green colour | Represents the rhododendron |
| Gold colour | Represents the ribbon |
| Farmer and miner | The state’s two great industries, flanking a boulder dated 20 June 1863, the day of statehood |
| Two crossed rifles and a liberty cap | The motto “Montani Semper Liberi” — Mountaineers are always free |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1929-03-07 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 10:19 |
|---|---|
| Width | 10 units (hoist) |
| Length | 19 units (fly) |
West Virginia Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of West Virginia
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 97 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | March 7, 1929 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Guam, Montenegro, Wyoming |
| Unique Feature | White field with a blue border and the state coat of arms |
Other bordered field with an emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of West Virginia
- The flag carries a rhododendron wreath, the state flower, around a seal showing a farmer and a miner flanking a boulder inscribed with the date of statehood.
- Two crossed rifles with a Phrygian cap lie beneath the boulder, standing for the motto Montani Semper Liberi — mountaineers are always free.
- West Virginia was formed by separating from Virginia during the Civil War, and 20 June 1863 on the seal marks that separation.
- The flag of West Virginia was officially adopted on March 7, 1929.
- The flag in its present form is 97 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a blue border and the state coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 10:19. It shares that ratio with 4 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: white, blue, green and gold.
- The white on the flag stands for purity.
- The blue on the flag stands for the border, matching the Union.
- The green on the flag stands for the rhododendron.
- Farmer and miner: The state’s two great industries, flanking a boulder dated 20 June 1863, the day of statehood.
- Two crossed rifles and a liberty cap: The motto “Montani Semper Liberi” — Mountaineers are always free.
- The design belongs to the "Bordered field with an emblem" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Guam, Montenegro and Wyoming.
- West Virginia joined the Union on 20 June 1863, as the 35th state.
- The state is nicknamed The Mountain State.
- The state bird is the northern cardinal.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of West Virginia
When was the flag of West Virginia adopted?
The flag of West Virginia was officially adopted on March 7, 1929.
What do the colours of the flag of West Virginia mean?
White for purity, blue for the border, matching the Union, green for the rhododendron and gold for the ribbon.
When did West Virginia become a state?
West Virginia entered the Union on 20 June 1863, as the 35th state.
What do the symbols on the flag of West Virginia represent?
Farmer and miner — The state’s two great industries, flanking a boulder dated 20 June 1863, the day of statehood. Two crossed rifles and a liberty cap — The motto “Montani Semper Liberi” — Mountaineers are always free.
What are the proportions of the flag of West Virginia?
The official ratio is 10:19, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 4 national flags.
What are the state symbols of West Virginia?
The state bird is the northern cardinal, the state flower is the rhododendron and the motto is "Montani semper liberi — Mountaineers are always free".
Which flags look similar to the flag of West Virginia?
The closest matches are Guam, Montenegro and Wyoming, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of West Virginia?
It uses 4 colours: white, blue, green and gold.
Can I download the flag of West Virginia for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of West Virginia in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.
What are the colour codes of the flag of West Virginia?
The HEX values are White #FFFFFF, Blue #002868, Green #3D7C47 and Gold #FFD100. RGB, CMYK and HSL equivalents are listed in the colour table on this page.