Flag and seal of Idaho facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag |
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| Proportion | 26:33 (official) |
| Adopted | November 2, 1957 |
| Design | State seal of Idaho on a field of blue |
| Great Seal of the State of Idaho | |
|---|---|
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| Armiger | State of Idaho |
| Adopted | 1890 |
| Motto | Esto perpetua |
Idaho's official flag and state seal are important symbols. They tell a story about the state's history, values, and natural riches. The Great Seal was designed by Emma Edwards Green. She is the only woman to have designed a state seal in the United States.
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Idaho's State Flag
The flag of Idaho is mostly blue. In the center, you'll see the state's official seal. Below the seal, the words "State of Idaho" are written in gold letters. These letters are placed on a red and gold band. Sometimes, the flag also has a gold fringe around its edges.
The Great Seal of Idaho
The Great Seal of Idaho was first created in 1863 when Idaho was a territory. It was updated several times before Idaho became a state in 1890. The seal shows a woman and a man. They represent important ideas like fairness, freedom, and justice. The seal also features symbols of Idaho's natural resources. These include mines, forests, farmland, and wildlife.
What the Seal Shows
The outer part of the seal says "Great Seal of the State of Idaho." There is also a star, which means Idaho is a new light among the states. Inside, a banner holds the state motto in Latin: Esto perpetua. This means "Let it be perpetual" or "It is forever."
A woman stands on one side of a shield. She represents justice. On the other side, a man dressed as a miner supports the shield. Mining was a very important industry in Idaho when it became a state.
Symbols on the Shield
The shield itself is full of symbols:
- Trees and Farming: A large pine tree on the shield shows Idaho's huge timber industry. A farmer plowing a field and a bundle of grain below the shield represent Idaho's rich farms. Two cornucopias, or "horns of plenty," stand for the state's fruit and vegetable growing.
- Wildlife: An elk's head rises above the shield. This shows Idaho's commitment to protecting animals like elk and moose.
- State Flower: The wild syringa, also called the mock orange, grows near the woman's feet. This is Idaho's state flower.
- Rivers: The river shown on the shield is either the Snake or Shoshone River. These are important rivers in Idaho.
In 2001, an organization called the North American Vexillological Association studied the designs of flags from all over North America. Idaho's flag was ranked 64th out of 72 flags.
Historical Seals of Idaho
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Seal of Idaho Territory 1863-1866
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Seal of Idaho Territory 1866-1890
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Territorial historical coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)
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Other Idaho Government Seals
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Seal of the Idaho Department of Transportation
