Adopted in 1929. West Virginia adopted its present state flag by Senate Joint Resolution Number 18, approved by the Legislature on March 7, 1929.The proportions of the state flag are the same as those of the United States flag. The background, or field, of the flag is pure white bordered by a strip of blue on all four sides. In the center is the coat-of-arms of the State of West Virginia, including the date of admission to the union and the state motto, Montani Semper Liberi (Mountaineers are always free). Above the coat-of-arms is a ribbon lettered "State of West Virginia."