Flag of Kansas facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag |
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| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Adopted | September 24, 1961 |
| Design | Seal of Kansas on a field of azure, a sunflower is displayed above the seal and the word "Kansas" below |
Variant flag of State of Kansas
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| Name | Flag of the Governor of Kansas |
| Design | State flag, with white stars, one in each corner |
The flag of Kansas is the official symbol of the state. It was first adopted in 1927. The flag shows the Kansas state seal and a bright sunflower. In 1961, the word "Kansas" was added to the bottom of the flag.
Contents
What Does the Kansas Flag Look Like?
The official flag of Kansas is a dark-blue rectangle. It is designed to be displayed horizontally. The state seal is placed right in the middle of the flag.
Above the seal, you can see a sunflower. This sunflower sits on top of a bar that has both gold and light blue colors. Below the state seal, the name of the state, "KANSAS", is written clearly.
What Stories Does the Kansas State Seal Tell?
The state seal is a very important part of the flag. It tells the history of Kansas through its pictures. These pictures represent the early pioneer life in the state.
The seal includes:
- A beautiful landscape with a sun rising. This rising sun points to the east.
- A river with a steamboat, showing the importance of commerce (trade).
- A settler's cabin and a person plowing a field. This represents agriculture, which was a key part of life.
- A wagon train moving west. This symbolizes the expansion of America.
- Native Americans hunting American Bison. The buffalo are shown running away from the hunters.
- A group of 34 stars at the top of the seal.
- The state motto, "Ad Astra per Aspera". This is Latin and means "To the Stars through Difficulties." It is written above the stars.
The 34 stars on the seal show that Kansas was the 34th state to join the United States. Kansas state law says that the flag should be used whenever the state is officially represented.
How Did the Kansas Flag Change Over Time?
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The Kansas flag was designed in 1925 by a person named Hazel Avery. It was first shown to the public in a Fourth of July parade in Lincoln, Kansas. The Kansas State Legislature officially adopted it in 1927.
The flag was changed in 1961. This is when the word "Kansas" was added below the seal. It was written in gold block letters. The flag was first flown at Fort Riley by Governor Benjamin S. Paulen in 1927. This was for the troops at Fort Riley and the Kansas National Guard.
Before 1927, Kansas used a state banner instead of a flag. This banner had a large sunflower and the word "Kansas" on a blue background. It was meant to hang from a horizontal bar, not a regular flagpole. This unique design was to avoid "competing" with the Flag of the United States.
However, the banner was not accepted for display in Washington, D.C.. People also complained that it was hard to hang. So, the state legislature decided to adopt a state flag instead. The flag kept its original design, with the word "Kansas" added in 1961.
The North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) says that the state banner can still be used as an official alternative to the state flag today. Their website shows the banner, which has a single sunflower on a blue background. They say it was designed by Adjutant General Joe Nickell. However, the Kansas State Historical Society says this design was a flag submitted by Albert T. Reid before the state banner was adopted. They do not mention it being an alternative flag now.
See also
In Spanish: Bandera de Kansas para niños
