Official state symbol Kentucky State Flag Adopted 1918 Standardized 1962

Kentucky State Flag

Kentucky's flag shows a frontiersman and statesman clasping hands, one of the clearest two-figure state designs.

Kentucky State Flag

Kentucky State Flag

Official State Flag of Kentucky

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State Flag of Kentucky

The Kentucky state flag was adopted in 1918 and features the state seal on a navy blue field. Two men appear in the center, shaking hands in a gesture of friendship. The state motto United We Stand, Divided We Fall encircles the seal.

How the Kentucky State Flag Is Designed

The Kentucky state flag is the official government flag of Kentucky. A navy blue background covers the entire field. The state seal sits in the center. A wreath of goldenrod surrounds it, and the design appears in the list of U.S. state flags.

Two men stand in the seal's center. One wears frontier clothing. The other wears formal attire. They clasp hands in friendship. The state motto appears in ribbons above and below. Public buildings, schools, and government offices across Kentucky fly the flag.

What the Kentucky Flag Communicates

The flag represents unity and cooperation. Two men embrace in the center. The motto United We Stand, Divided We Fall reinforces solidarity among citizens.

The two figures symbolize different segments of Kentucky society. One man represents frontier spirit and pioneer settlers. The other represents statesmen and civic leadership. Their handshake demonstrates partnership.

Navy blue connects Kentucky to the Union. Blue was common in state flags during the early 1900s. It showed loyalty to the United States and aligns with Kentucky's official color tradition.

Kentucky Flag History and Adoption

Kentucky established its state flag in 1918. The legislature approved a design featuring the state seal on navy blue. Jesse Cox Burgess designed the flag. She was an art teacher. She was the only woman to serve on the Kentucky flag commission, with statehood context in states and capital cities reference data.

The seal itself predated the flag. Kentucky adopted its state seal in 1792 when it became a state. That was more than a century earlier. The seal's imagery remained consistent through multiple revisions.

The legislature updated flag specifications in 1962. Officials clarified proportions and placement details. The goldenrod wreath got formalized in the statute. These adjustments standardized production.

Key Symbols on the Kentucky Flag

Kentucky State Seal

Kentucky State Seal

The state seal depicts two men—a frontiersman and a statesman—clasping hands. Kentucky adopted this seal in 1792. Two men stand facing each other. They shake hands. This symbolizes unity and cooperation.

Goldenrod Wreath

Goldenrod Wreath

A wreath of goldenrod surrounds the state seal. Goldenrod became Kentucky's state flower in 1926. The plant grows abundantly across Kentucky and is detailed on Kentucky's state flower page. It blooms in late summer.

Navy Blue Field

Navy Blue Field

The navy blue background covers the entire flag. This color became standard for many state flags in the early 1900s. It matches shades used in military and federal contexts.

Kentucky State Flag Colors

The flag uses navy blue, yellow, green, white, and brown. Navy blue forms the field. Yellow appears in the goldenrod wreath and text. The seal contains multiple colors for the figures and natural elements.

Interesting Facts

Quick Answers

Which flag serves as Kentucky's official banner?
The Kentucky state flag is the official banner of Kentucky. It features the state seal surrounded by a goldenrod wreath on a navy blue field.
What are the main visual elements on Kentucky's flag?
The flag shows the Kentucky state seal in the center with two men shaking hands. A goldenrod wreath circles the seal on a navy blue background.
What does the Kentucky state flag represent?
The flag represents unity and cooperation among Kentucky citizens. The two men shaking hands symbolize different groups working together.
What meaning is attached to Kentucky's flag?
The flag means solidarity through its motto United We Stand, Divided We Fall. The handshake between a frontiersman and a statesman shows partnership across social divisions.
What are the key symbols on Kentucky's flag?
Two men appear on the state seal. One wears frontier clothing representing pioneers. The other wears formal dress representing statesmen.
How would you describe the design of the Kentucky state flag?
The figures represent different segments of Kentucky society. The frontiersman symbolizes settlers and pioneers. The statesman symbolizes civic leadership.
In what year did Kentucky's current flag become official?
Kentucky adopted its state flag in 1918 and standardized it in 1962.
Which person or group shaped the current Kentucky flag?
Jesse Cox Burgess designed the Kentucky state flag. She was an art teacher and served on the Kentucky flag commission.
Does Kentucky's flag have an official name?
No. The flag is officially called the Kentucky state flag or the flag of Kentucky.

Sources

Information is cross-referenced with official state archives.
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