Catalog

Year Adopted: 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." A wreath of the state flower, Rhododendron, is arranged appropriately around the lower part of the coat-of-arms. When used for parade purposes, the flag of West Virginia should be trimmed with gold colored fringe on three sides. When used on ceremonial occasions along with the United States flag, the West Virginia flag should be trimmed and mounted like the United States flag regarding fringe, cord, tassels and mounting. (ref; sos.wv.gov, West Virgina State Flag)

West Virginia had split from Virginia to join Union forces during the Civil War. West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863, and is the only state in the Union to have acquired its sovereignty by proclamation by the President of the United States. Statehood was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln. (ref; wvsto.com, West Virginia State Treasurer, WV History)