Unique among US state flags: a different design on each side. Front shows the state seal; reverse shows a beaver — the state animal.
The design
The Flag of usa-state/oregon/" data-it-autolink="1">Oregon is a national emblem rendered in the colours and proportions defined by the country’s flag law. Its official aspect ratio is 500:833, the height-to-length ratio that fixes how the flag should be cut and flown. The colour scheme uses navy blue, gold, with each shade specified to particular Pantone or RGB values for official reproduction.
Colour palette
| Colour | Name | Common symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Navy blue | navy blue | A nationally significant colour for this flag — see the symbolism section below for the country-specific meaning. |
| Gold | gold | Stands in for sunlight, mineral wealth or sovereign authority. |
| Source | Official flag law | The country’s own statute or constitutional appendix specifies exact shades and proportions. |
Symbolism & heraldry
The shield on the obverse shows the Pacific Ocean, mountains, a covered wagon (Oregon Trail), and a setting sun. The reverse depicts the North American beaver — once a major economic driver of the Pacific Northwest fur trade. "STATE OF OREGON" appears above the seal; "1859" (statehood year) below.
Heraldic elements on the Flag of Oregon — bands, charges, emblems or stars — each carry meaning agreed at the moment of the flag’s adoption. Re-readings happen across generations: a colour or a symbol that began with one meaning often picks up further layers as the country’s history unfolds.
Adoption & history
The current flag was adopted in 1925. Earlier banners flown by Flag of Oregon reflected the politics of their day; each redesign typically marked a moment of independence, regime change or constitutional reform. The current flag was chosen, debated and codified through the country’s official channels and is now protected by flag law.
Etiquette & protocol
The Flag of Oregon should be flown with respect: never allowed to touch the ground, never used as drapery for ceremonies it was not made for, and lowered or removed at sundown unless illuminated. When flown alongside other national flags, it takes precedence on home soil and is hoisted first and lowered last. On days of national mourning, the flag is flown at half-mast in line with directives from the head of state. These conventions are common to most nations and are usually written into the flag’s founding statute.
Specifications
| Field | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Flag of Oregon | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| ISO alpha-2 | 2-letter code | |
| ISO alpha-3 | 3-letter code | |
| Adopted | 1925 | year of current design |
| Proportion | 500:833 | height : length |
| Colours | navy blue, gold | — |
| Designer | — | |
| Emoji | Unicode codepoint sequence |
Did you know?
Oregon's is the only US state flag with two different designs — front and back — and one of very few national or sub-national flags worldwide with a distinct reverse design.
