Vertical tricolour of blue, white, red — the French heritage acknowledged. Across the white flies a bald eagle holding a ribbon: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. The name “Iowa” anchors the flag plainly below.
Vertical blue, white, and red stripes with eagle and motto ribbon on white stripe.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag Statute
three vertical stripes of blue, white, and red, the blue stripe being nearest the staff and the white stripe being in the center. On the central white stripe is depicted a spreading eagle bearing in its beak blue streamers on which is inscribed the state motto, 'Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain' in white letters, with the word 'Iowa' in red letters below the streamers.
Source: 2024 Iowa Code, § 1B.1 (2024)
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- Daughters of the American Revolution
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- Yes
- Animals
- Bald eagle
- Design type
- Tricolor with central emblem
- Complexity
- 6/10
- Readability
- 7/10
- Seal-based design
- No
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
Tricolor
Echoes Iowa’s French heritage.
Eagle
Symbol of the United States.
Motto Ribbon
Displays the state motto: ‘Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.’
Design Breakdown
The Iowa flag can be described in a simple build order. This is useful for students learning how flags are constructed.
- Start with the base field described in the construction.
- Add the main shapes first (large stripe, field divisions, or background forms).
- Place the primary symbol(s) in their main position(s) (centre, canton, etc.).
- Finish with details like text, small emblems, and final color fills.
Construction note: Vertical blue, white, and red stripes with eagle and motto ribbon on white stripe.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Only state flag with a vertical tricolor design
- Strongly influenced by French national colors
- Features the state motto prominently on a ribbon
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Clear historical reference
- Distinctive vertical tricolor among state flags
- Strong national symbolism
Common criticism
- Includes text
- Detailed central emblem reduces simplicity
- Less legible at long distances
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: Yes
Common suggestions
- Remove the text motto
- Simplify or stylize the eagle
- Adopt a purely symbolic, text-free design
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Iowa state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Explain Iowa’s French influence.
- Identify and interpret state motto.
Print this
Printable classroom handouts for this flag page.
Cite this page
Copy and paste a ready-made citation.
MLA
APA
Note: Citation formats can vary by school. These are common classroom defaults.
Seal Deep Dive
Tricolor Stripes
Three vertical stripes of blue, white, and red.
Attributes: Blue hoist stripe, White center stripe, Red fly stripe
Meaning: Reference to Iowa’s early association with French-controlled Louisiana Territory
Eagle
A bald eagle centered on the white stripe.
Attributes: Bald eagle with outstretched wings
Meaning: Freedom, strength, and national unity
Motto Ribbon
A blue ribbon held in the eagle’s beak bearing the state motto.
Attributes: Ribbon with English text
Meaning: Commitment to liberty and the preservation of rights
Historical Timeline
Iowa admitted as 29th state.
Flag adopted officially.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: Tricolor with central emblem
Complexity: 6/10
Readability: 7/10
Fascinating Facts
The French tricolor reflects early colonial influence.
Iowa’s flag prominently features its state motto.
The vertical blue, white, and red stripes mirror the French flag.
The bald eagle symbolizes the United States.
The eagle carries a ribbon with the state motto.
The word 'Iowa' appears below the eagle.
The flag was officially adopted in 1921.
The design honors Iowa’s history as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
State Information
- Population
- 3,190,369
- Area
- 56,273
- Founded
- 28 Dec 1846
- Region
- Midwest
