U.S. state · OK
Flag of Oklahoma
The Oklahoma flag is a sky blue field with an Osage warrior's buckskin shield in the center, crossed by a peace pipe and an olive branch. It was adopted in 1925 and replaced an earlier red flag marked with the number 46.
What the Oklahoma state flag looks like
The state flag of Oklahoma has a sky blue field. In the center is a round rawhide shield of an Osage warrior. The shield is amber buckskin, decorated with six small crosses, and seven eagle feathers hang from its lower edge. Across the front lie a calumet, or peace pipe, and an olive branch. The word OKLAHOMA is written in white capital letters beneath the shield.
The flag has a ratio of 2:3. The sky blue field is lighter than the dark navy used on many other state flags.
Oklahoma flag meaning and symbolism
The blue field represents devotion and loyalty. The shield, topped by the peace pipe and the olive branch, represents defensive or protective warfare, showing a love of peace by a united people. Oklahoma is one of two U.S. states, with New Mexico, whose flag shows distinct Native American iconography. The flag also closely resembles the flag of the Choctaw Nation, which was carried by the Second Indian Brigade in the American Civil War.
The state motto, Labor omnia vincit, meaning "labor conquers all things", appears on the state seal and not on the flag.
History of the Oklahoma flag
Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. Its first flag, adopted in 1911, was a red field with a white star in the center that bore the number 46 in blue, marking the state's order of admission. The red flag was replaced partly because red flags were closely associated with the red flag of communism.
In 1924 the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored a contest to find a new design. The winner was Louise Fluke of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and her flag was adopted as the state flag on April 2, 1925. At first the flag did not carry the name of the state. The word OKLAHOMA was added below the shield in 1941.
Unofficial versions of the flag became common over the years, so a law signed in 2006 standardized its colors and shapes. See other state designs on the U.S. state flags page, or read about Texas, Oklahoma's neighbor to the south.
Interesting facts about the Oklahoma flag
- The old flag's "46" referred to Oklahoma being the 46th state of the Union.
- The shield is modeled on an Osage design, not an invented one.
- The word OKLAHOMA was added more than fifteen years after the flag was adopted.
For the national flag, see the flag of the United States.
Oklahoma flag colors
#0073CFRGB
0, 115, 207CMYK
100, 44, 0, 19#B3995DRGB
179, 153, 93CMYK
0, 15, 48, 30#1D5B42RGB
29, 91, 66CMYK
68, 0, 27, 64Oklahoma flag facts
| Adopted | April 2, 1925 |
|---|---|
| Proportions | 2:3 |
| Designer | Louise Fluke |
| Symbols | cross, ceremonial pipe, feather, shield, olive branch |
| State capital | Oklahoma City |
| State motto | Labor omnia vincit |
| Population | 3,959,353 |
Oklahoma state flag FAQ
What does the Oklahoma state flag represent?
It shows an Osage warrior's shield, a peace pipe and an olive branch on a sky blue field. The blue stands for devotion and loyalty, and the shield with the pipe and olive branch shows a love of peace by a united people.
Why did Oklahoma change its flag?
The first flag, a red field with a white star marked 46, was replaced partly because red flags were closely associated with the red flag of communism. A contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution produced a new design by Louise Fluke, adopted in 1925.
What did the original Oklahoma flag look like?
It was a red flag with a white star outlined in blue, carrying the number 46 in blue for the 46th state. It was adopted in 1911.
What does 46 mean in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma was the 46th state to join the Union, in 1907. The number appeared on the first state flag.
What is the Oklahoma state motto?
The motto is Labor omnia vincit, Latin for "labor conquers all things". It appears on the state seal.
What is the main color of the Oklahoma state flag?
The main color is sky blue, a lighter shade than the navy of many state flags. State law specifies a French blue field. The blue stands for devotion and loyalty, and on it sit an amber Osage warrior's shield, a ruby red peace pipe, a green olive branch and the word OKLAHOMA in white capital letters.
Is there a new Oklahoma flag?
The design in use today is the sky blue flag adopted on April 2, 1925, which replaced the red "46" flag of 1911. The word OKLAHOMA was added in 1941, and a law that took effect on November 1, 2006 standardized the colors and shapes after unofficial versions spread.
