Washington Flag History

Adopted: March 5, 1923 (standardized in 1967)

Washington Flag Design: The state seal is sized at 1/3 the length of the flag centered on a field of dark green.

Washington did not actually adopt an official design for its Washington flag until 1923, more than 30 years after the state was admitted to the union. At the turn of the century, many cities and towns flew a military flag bearing a gold profile of George Washington on blue bunting. Another design, similar to the one used today, featured a gold state seal centered on a purple or green background. A ceremonial banner of this type is displayed in the State Reception Room of the Legislative Building in Olympia.

When the Legislature approved a law setting forth the design of the official Washington state flag, it stipulated that the flag “shall be of dark green silk or bunting, bearing in its center a reproduction of the seal of the state of Washington…” The original law allowed the option of using green fringe on the flag; two years later, the Legislature changed the fringe color to gold.

The emblem on the Washington flag is the state seal, which was first designed in 1889 by Olympia jeweler Charles Talcott. Talcott used an ink bottle and a silver dollar to draw the rings of the seal and then pasted a postage stamp in the center for the picture of George Washington. His brother L. Grant Talcott lettered the words “The Seal of the State of Washington 1889” and another brother, G. N. Talcott, cut the printing dye. In the seal used on the state flag, the picture of George Washington has a blue background and is encircled by a gold ring with black lettering.

According to the law (RCW 1.20.010), “The official flag of the state of Washington shall be of dark green silk or bunting and shall bear in its center a reproduction of the seal of the state of Washington embroidered, printed, painted or stamped thereon. The edges of the flag may, or may not, be fringed. If a fringe is used the same shall be of gold or yellow color of the same shade as the seal. The dimensions of the flag may vary.

The Secretary of State is authorized to provide the state flag to units of the armed forces, without charge, as in his discretion he deems entitled thereto. The secretary of state is further authorized to sell the state flag to any citizen at a price to be determined by the secretary of state.”

Additionally, the Secretary of State is customarily entrusted with the role of educating the public as to the history and the protocol and appropriate display of the Washington State flag individually and as it is flown with other flags.

STATE SEAL – WASHINGTON STATE FLAG

CHAPTER 65. [House Bill No. 860.]

AN ACT relating to the state seal and state flag; amending section 1, chapter 174, Laws of 1923 as amended by section 1, chapter 85, Laws of 1925 extraordinary session and RCW 1.20.010; adding a new section to Title 1 RCW, and declaring an emergency.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington:

Section 1. There is added to Title 1 RCW a new section to read as follows:

The seal of the state of Washington shall be, a seal encircled with the words: “The Seal of the State of Washington,” with the vignette of General George Washington as the central figure, and beneath the vignette, the figures “1889” and shall be composed as appears in the illustration below:

Sec. 2. Section 1, chapter 174, Laws of 1923 as amended by section 1, chapter 85, Laws of 1925 extraordinary session, and RCW 1.20.010 are each amended to read as follows:

The official flag of the state of Washington shall be of dark green silk or bunting and shall bear in its center a reproduction of the seal of the state of Washington embroidered, printed, painted, or stamped thereon. The edges of the flag may, or may not, be fringed. If a fringe is used the same shall be of gold or yellow color of the same shade as the seal. The dimensions of the flag may vary.

The secretary of state is authorized to provide the state flag to units of the armed forces, without charge therefore, as in his discretion he deems entitled thereto. The secretary of state is further authorized to sell the state flag to any citizen at a price to be determined by the secretary of state.

Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

Passed the House April 7, 1967.
Passed the Senate on April 6, 1967.
Approved by the Governor April 19, 1967.

 

NOT ALL WASHINGTON STATE FLAGS ARE THE SAME!

HERE’S WHY…

Extra care is taken in making these flags. Flag designs are researched to ensure that they are authentic and current. We use sturdy fabrics, allowing the flags to be flown outdoors, indoors, or carried in parades.

Constructed with 100% Heavy Duty Nylon (digital dyed) ★ Beautiful, brilliant colors ★ Resistant to wear and tear of sun & rain ★ Complete with heavy canvas heading & brass grommets to meet the most demanding commercial and residential uses.

• All outdoor flags are finished with heavy-duty thread, polyester heading, brass grommets, and four needle fly hem
• State flags constructed to precise specifications
• Flies in the slightest breeze
• Proudly Made In The USA
• Beautiful Presentation – This Washington Flag makes an excellent gift for friends, parents, or to PROUDLY display on your HOME or OFFICE.

 
HEAVY-DUTY NYLON OUTDOOR STATE FLAGS WITH SOLAR SHIELD

Our most popular and versatile outdoor Washington flag, USA Flag Co. flags offer the optimum combination of elegance and durability for every purpose. The 100% nylon material provides a rich, lustrous appearance. Our flags have superb wearing strength due to the material’s superior strength-to-weight ratio and will fly in the slightest breeze. State flags are finished with strong, polyester canvas headings and spurred brass grommets, and four needle fly hem. The result is a flag that will be flown with pride year after year.

SOLAR SHIELD

• Rich, Vivid Colors
• Durable
• Fire-Resistant
• Mothproof
• Mildew Resistant
• Sheds Water
• Lightweight for Flyability

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