Waving wild
Why does Oregon have a design on the back of its flag? Find out here!
Image: Mathew Schwartz
Every state has its own symbols, and among them, those related to wildlife are often in the spotlight. From tiny bees or birds to huge bears and bison, our state flags display an amazing variety of creatures. But why were they chosen? Let’s find out!
1
Beaver – Oregon (reverse)
Image: Makaristos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
As you’d expect from the Beaver State, this rodent appears on Oregon’s flag. The thing is, you just can’t see it here because it’s on the reverse side! That’s right, Oregon is the only state with designs on both sides of the flag. But why that animal? In the 19th century, the beaver fur trade played a key role in Oregon’s economic growth, forever linking this clever creature to the state’s identity.
2
Bear – California
Image: Drei Kubik
When you think of grizzly bears, California is probably the first state that comes to mind, and for good reason. Its flag is one of the most recognizable in the country. Grizzlies once roamed the region, and although they’re now extinct in the state, the animal lives on as a symbol. Back in the 1840s, American settlers pushing for independence from Mexico raised a flag with a grizzly and a star to mark their revolution. The design has evolved since then, but the iconic bear remains!
3
Bison – Wyoming
Image: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
As one of the few places where American bison have roamed freely for centuries, it’s no surprise that this animal was chosen to represent the state of Wyoming. At the center of its flag, the white silhouette of the bison (often called a buffalo) features Wyoming’s coat of arms, which honors the state's key industries: livestock, mining, grain, and oil.
4
Bees – Utah
Image: JohnnyAstros, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The new Utah flag, adopted in 2024, has a peculiar and modern design. The main characters in this story are none other than bees. Or, actually, a beehive, which was chosen to symbolize community, cooperation, and the hard work that reflects Utah’s industrial spirit.
5
Badger – Wisconsin
Image: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
See that small yellow-and-brown figure above the shield on Wisconsin’s flag? Although many people don't notice it, that’s a badger, the state animal. But why a badger? Back in the 1800s, the first lead miners who worked in southern Wisconsin used to live in hillside tunnels during the winter, which resembled badger burrows. These workers were the first to be given the nickname, which was later transferred to the state.
6
Deer and cow- Vermont
Image: Tablelegs6, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Vermont flag has plenty to see, but the most striking feature is the deer head that tops the shield. With deer abundant throughout the state, it was chosen to represent all of Vermont’s wildlife. But what about the cow? Tucked inside the shield, this small figure symbolizes the state’s dairy and agricultural industry.
7
Horse – New Jersey
Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
As part of the state coat of arms, a horse appears atop the beautiful New Jersey state flag. As in many other regions, horses were vital to New Jersey’s colonial economy, playing a key role in agriculture. For that reason, in 1777, the coat of arms’ designer placed the horse at the top, symbolizing both strength and the speed of the state’s growth. On both sides of the shield are two women: Liberty and Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, honoring the state motto, "Liberty and prosperity."
8
Moose/Elk – Michigan
Image: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
A moose and an elk seem like great choices for offering support, don’t they? That’s exactly what the designers of Michigan’s flag and coat of arms thought. These two majestic animals appear standing on their hind legs, as if holding up the shield. Both native to the state, they symbolize Michigan’s abundant wildlife and natural resources.
9
Pelican – Louisiana
Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Although the pelican on Louisiana’s state flag is white, its actual name is "brown pelican", a species that abounds along the state’s coast. On both the flag and the coat of arms, the bird is shown wounding itself to feed its young; a strong symbol of devotion and sacrifice that reflects Louisiana’s motto: "Union, Justice, and Confidence."
10
Bald Eagle – Many
Image: Alexas_Fotos
We saved the unmistakable bald eagle for last. Native to North America, this majestic bird has become a symbol of the United States, representing strength, courage, freedom, and longevity. But the eagle isn’t just on the national coat of arms; it also appears on many state seals and flags, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah’s historic flag.
