State Flags That Are Just a Seal on Blue: All 16
State Flags That Are Just a Seal on Blue: All 16
Collection - Flags
Maine's flag (adopted 1909) is one of 16 US state flags that place a state seal on a plain blue field. At viewing distance, these flags are nearly indistinguishable from one another.
Quick Answer
What matters most
-
1
16 US state flags consist of a state seal or coat of arms centered on a plain blue field: Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
-
2
Illinois formerly had this exact format. In 1969, Sergeant Howard Wyman wrote to Governor Ogilvie from Camp Eagle in Vietnam — he could not identify the Illinois flag among other state flags on display. The legislature added 'ILLINOIS' below the seal; the change took effect in 1970.
-
3
The NAVA 2001 survey of 72 US and Canadian flags ranked seal-on-blue flags in the bottom third. They failed three of five criteria: 'no seals,' 'simple,' and 'distinctive.'
-
4
Minnesota (May 2024) and Utah (March 2024) redesigned their seal-on-blue flags. Minnesota replaced the seal with a single eight-pointed North Star; Utah replaced it with a golden beehive.
State Flags That Are Just a Seal on Blue: All 16
Search, sort, and compareBrowse
Filter and explore
Search by state name, switch views, and compare columns.
No matching entries
Adjust the filter to show more entries.
|
Flag
|
State
|
Seal
|
Name on Flag?
|
Adopted
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Connecticut
|
|
No | 1897 |
|
|
Idaho
|
|
Yes | 1927 |
|
|
Kansas
|
|
Yes | 1927 |
|
|
Kentucky
|
|
Yes | 1918 |
|
|
Maine
|
|
Yes | 1909 |
|
|
Michigan
|
|
Yes | 1911 |
|
|
Montana
|
|
Yes | 1905 |
|
|
Nebraska
|
|
Yes | 1925 |
|
|
New Hampshire
|
|
Yes | 1909 |
|
|
New York
|
|
Yes | 1901 |
|
|
Oregon
|
|
Yes | 1925 |
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
|
Yes | 1907 |
|
|
South Dakota
|
|
Yes | 1963 |
|
|
Vermont
|
|
Yes | 1923 |
|
|
Virginia
|
|
No | 1950 |
|
|
Wisconsin
|
|
Yes | 1913 |
No matching entries
Adjust the filter to show more entries.
Why These 16 Flags Are Hard to Tell Apart
In 1969, Sergeant Howard Wyman of the 133rd Infantry wrote to Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie from Camp Eagle, Vietnam: he could not identify the Illinois flag among the other state flags on display. The legislature amended the flag law the same year, adding 'ILLINOIS' in large letters below the seal. The change took effect in 1970.
At typical viewing distance, a circular seal with engraving detail collapses into an unreadable spot. All 16 flags read as a blue rectangle with something in the center — indistinguishable from each other without walking up and reading the text, if there is any text at all.
The NAVA 2001 survey ranked 72 US and Canadian flags by five criteria: simple enough to draw from memory; meaningful symbolism; two or three basic colors; no lettering or seals; distinctive. Seal-on-blue flags failed on three of the five and dominated the bottom third of the ranking.
States That Escaped: Minnesota and Utah (2024)
Minnesota (2024) — North Star Replaces the Seal
Minnesota's previous flag (1957–2024) placed the state seal on blue. The redesign by Andrew Prekker centers a single eight-pointed white star — the North Star, Minnesota's state motto L'Étoile du Nord — on dark and light blue fields. Adopted by the legislature May 2023; effective May 11, 2024. Minnesota's loon remains on the state seal, which is no longer on the flag.
Utah (2024) — Beehive Replaces the Seal
Utah's previous flag (1913–2024) placed the state seal on blue. The 2024 redesign centers a golden beehive on blue with a white star marking Utah as the 45th state and a sego lily below. Adopted March 14, 2024, after a 16-member public flag commission. Both redesigns cite the same motivation: the old flags were unrecognizable and indistinguishable from other states.
US state flags are just a state seal on a blue field — the most-criticized design pattern in American vexillology.
Why 16 States Ended Up with the Same Flag Format
Most of the 16 flags were formally adopted between 1900 and 1930. The template was the military regimental flag: blue field with the regiment's identifier centered. When state legislatures wanted an official flag, the state seal — already legally defined and engraved — was the nearest ready-made identifier. No design competition was held; no vexillologist was consulted.
Indiana (1917) and Nevada (1929) show the alternative existed at the same time. Both ran design competitions during this era and produced distinctive non-seal flags: Indiana's torch-and-19-stars layout and Nevada's cobalt field with a single silver star and sagebrush wreath.
The Two With No State Name: Connecticut and Virginia
Connecticut (1897) and Virginia (1950) are the only two seal-on-blue flags with no state name. Connecticut is the oldest in the group. Its seal shows three grapevines on a baroque shield with the Latin motto Qui Transtulit Sustinet ('He who transplanted still sustains'), wording that traces to 1647.
Virginia's seal shows Virtus — an armored woman with one breast exposed — standing over a fallen king who lies face-down, a broken chain beside him. It is the only US state flag to depict an exposed human breast. The motto Sic Semper Tyrannis ('Thus always to tyrants') gained a secondary historical association on April 14, 1865, when John Wilkes Booth allegedly spoke it after shooting Abraham Lincoln.
Quick Answers
Which state flags are just a seal on a blue background?
Why do so many state flags look the same?
Which state added its name to its flag because soldiers couldn't identify it?
Which states changed their seal-on-blue flags in 2024?
Which seal-on-blue flag is the oldest?
What does NAVA say about seal-on-blue flags?
Do Connecticut and Virginia have their state name on the flag?
Methodology
How we researched this list
Flags were included when the primary design is a state seal or coat of arms on a plain blue field, with no additional distinctive graphic element outside the seal itself. State name text on the flag was not treated as a disqualifying element.
Sources
Sources & references
-
1
North American Vexillological Association (NAVA)https://nava.org/
-
2
State Government Official Websiteshttps://www.usa.gov/states-and-territories
-
3
Minnesota Secretary of State — New State Flag 2024https://www.sos.mn.gov/about-minnesota/state-symbols/state-flag/
You Might Also Like
State Flags That Are Just a Seal on Blue: All 16
16 state flags are just a state seal on blue. Illinois added its name in 1970 after soldiers couldn't identify it in Vietnam. All 16 with photos.
US State Flags with Blue Backgrounds: All 27 States
27 of 50 US state flags have a blue background — more than any other color. See all 27 with shade, design type, and year adopted.
50 States in Order of Statehood: Delaware (1787) to Hawaii (1959)
All 50 U.S. states ranked by statehood order — Delaware first (Dec 7, 1787) to Hawaii last (Aug 21, 1959). Includes admission dates and entry type.
US State Flags with One Star: All 7 States
7 US state flags carry one prominent star: Texas, North Carolina, California, Arizona, Nevada, Minnesota, and Utah. Full list with photos and history.
U.S. State Flags with Animals: Bears, Birds, Bison, and More
California's extinct grizzly, Wyoming's bison, Louisiana's pelican, and Oregon's reverse-side beaver show how animals appear on flags.
Original 13 Colonies: Full List, Founding Dates, Regions, and Ratification Order
The 13 original colonies with founding dates, regions, and ratification order. Virginia first (1607), Georgia last (1732), Rhode Island last to ratify.
Windiest States in the U.S. — All 50 Ranked by Average Wind Speed
South Dakota leads the U.S. in average wind speed at 11.5 mph. Full 50-state ranking with wind speed data, map, and why some states are windier.
US State Flags Ranked by Number of Stars
Missouri's flag has the most stars: 24 gold in a circle. Indiana has 19, Alaska has 8 (Big Dipper). Full ranking by star count for all 50 state flags.