Wisconsin State Flag

The Wisconsin state flag was first designed in 1863 at the request of Civil War leaders who wanted an official flag to fly during the war on the battlefield. The flag had since been updated to add more important symbols of Wisconsin.

The flag includes the Coat of Arms which represents Wisconsin’s natural resources and the contributions of early pioneers to the state’s development.

Starting at the top of a shield on a dark blue field is the Wisconsin state motto “Forward”. Below it is a badger, the state animal.

A sailor and miner show that the people work on water and land. The shield in the center shows Wisconsin’s support for the United States.

In four sections surrounding the shield are representations of the states main industries: Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and navigation. The cornucopia and pile of lead represent farm products and minerals. The flag law was amended in 1979 to include the name of the state and the date of statehood.