Nebraska State Flag
Fact-checked • Updated January 15, 2025
Nebraska State Flag
In 1925, Nebraska adopted a flag that features the state seal on a national blue background. A blacksmith works at an anvil in the foreground. A steamboat travels the Missouri River while a train heads toward the Rocky Mountains in the distance.
What Is the Nebraska State Flag?
The Nebraska state flag is the official banner representing Nebraska. A national blue field covers the background. The state seal appears in silver and gold at the center.
The seal shows a blacksmith hammering at an anvil. A cabin sits among wheat sheaves and corn stalks. A steamboat travels on the Missouri River. A train crosses the prairie toward mountains. The state motto Agriculture and Commerce curves on a ribbon above. Government buildings and schools across Nebraska fly this flag.
Meaning of the Nebraska State Flag
The flag represents Nebraska's economy and settlement through the state seal. The blacksmith symbolizes mechanical arts and industry. The cabin represents home and pioneer life on the prairie.
Wheat and corn show Nebraska's agricultural foundation. The steamboat on the Missouri River represents river commerce. The train heading west symbolizes the transcontinental railroad and westward expansion.
The mountains in the distance symbolize the western frontier beyond Nebraska and westward expansion. The rising sun behind them represents new opportunities. The motto Agriculture and Commerce emphasizes the two pillars of Nebraska's economy.
History of the Nebraska State Flag
Nebraska approved its state flag in 1925. The legislature passed a bill requiring the state seal on a national blue field. The seal itself dated to 1867 when Nebraska became a state. That design had served for nearly six decades before appearing on the flag.
Before 1925, Nebraska had no official state flag. Various unofficial banners appeared at state events. The 1925 law created a single standardized design. No individual designer is credited. The flag emerged from existing state symbolism.
The legislature modified specifications in 1963. Officials standardized the seal's colors and proportions. The changes clarified manufacturing details. The basic design remained unchanged from 1925.
Symbols of the Nebraska State Flag
Nebraska State Seal
The state seal dominates the center. Nebraska adopted this seal in 1867. A blacksmith hammers at an anvil in the foreground. He represents mechanical arts and industry in the young state.
A log cabin sits behind the blacksmith. Sheaves of wheat and stalks of corn surround it. These crops show Nebraska's agricultural economy. The cabin represents pioneer settlement and home.
The Missouri River flows through the middle ground. A steamboat travels on the water. This represents commerce and transportation. In the background, a train heads west toward distant mountains. The mountains symbolize the western frontier beyond Nebraska and westward expansion.
State Motto
The motto Agriculture and Commerce appears on a ribbon. It curves above the seal's imagery. Nebraska adopted this motto in 1867. The words capture the state's economic foundation.
Agriculture refers to farming and ranching. Commerce means trade and business. Together they show how Nebraska built its economy.
Blue Field
National blue covers the entire background. This shade matches the blue used in the United States flag. Nebraska chose this color to demonstrate national loyalty.
Blue became common for state flags in the early 1900s. Nebraska followed this pattern when it adopted its flag in 1925.
Nebraska State Flag Colors
The flag uses national blue, silver, gold, brown, green, and white. National blue forms the field. Silver and gold appear in the seal's details. Brown shows in the cabin and landscape. Green depicts prairie grass. White highlights the steamboat and mountains.
Nebraska State Flag Facts
- Nebraska adopted its state flag in 1925
- The state seal on the flag dates to 1867
- The flag was standardized with color specifications in 1963
- The motto Agriculture and Commerce appears on the seal
- The Missouri River is depicted on the state seal
- A blacksmith, steamboat, and train all appear on the seal
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Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and historical databases.
Official documentation on Nebraska state symbols and flag specifications • Accessed: January 15, 2026
Historical context and flag development • Accessed: January 15, 2026
Statutory description of the design, legend, and official use of the Nebraska state flag • Accessed: January 15, 2026
Overview of the Nebraska state flag design, symbolism, and history • Accessed: January 15, 2026
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