On blue, the state seal depicts a frontiersman and statesman clasping hands, ringed by the words “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” Goldenrod sprays encircle the emblem. A flag of union, it emphasises community and resilience.
Blue field with state seal encircled by goldenrod and motto.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag Statute
The official state flag of the Commonwealth of Kentucky shall be of navy blue silk, nylon, wool or cotton bunting, or some other suitable material, with the seal of the Commonwealth encircled by a wreath, the lower half of which shall be goldenrod in bloom and the upper half the words 'Commonwealth of Kentucky' embroidered, printed, painted or stamped on the center thereof.
Source: Kentucky Revised Statutes 2.030, § 73-702 (2024)
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- Jesse Cox Burgess
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- Yes
- Animals
- None listed
- Design type
- State seal on blue field
- Complexity
- 8/10
- Readability
- 4/10
- Seal-based design
- Yes
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
Seal With Handshake
Represents all people of Kentucky.
Motto
‘United we stand, divided we fall.’
Goldenrod
State flower encircles the seal.
Design Breakdown
The Kentucky 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: Blue field with state seal encircled by goldenrod and motto.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Only state flag featuring an embrace between two figures
- Explicitly emphasizes unity as its core message
- Uses the term 'Commonwealth' prominently
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Clear message of unity
- Strong historical symbolism
- Distinct human-centered imagery
Common criticism
- Includes detailed seal
- Contains text
- Low visibility at distance
- Difficult to reproduce accurately
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: Yes
Common suggestions
- Remove the state seal
- Eliminate text and motto
- Adopt a horse or bluegrass-based symbol
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Kentucky state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Interpret Kentucky’s motto.
- Identify goldenrod symbolism.
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
State Seal
The Kentucky state seal centered on a blue field.
Attributes: Two men embracing, Frontiersman and statesman figures, State motto, Commonwealth name
Meaning: Unity between frontier settlers and statesmen, symbolizing cooperation and common purpose
Figures
A frontiersman and a statesman facing each other in a gesture of unity.
Attributes: Buckskin-clad frontiersman, Formally dressed statesman
Meaning: Balance between pioneer spirit and civil governance
Motto
The state motto encircling the seal: 'United We Stand, Divided We Fall'.
Attributes: English text
Meaning: Emphasis on unity, solidarity, and mutual dependence
Historical Timeline
Kentucky admitted as 15th state.
Flag officially adopted.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: State seal on blue field
Complexity: 8/10
Readability: 4/10
Fascinating Facts
Kentucky was the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Motto emphasizes unity and strength.
The state seal is the central element of the flag.
Two frontiersmen symbolize unity between settlers.
The phrase 'United We Stand, Divided We Fall' appears on the seal.
The blue field represents loyalty and trust.
The flag was officially adopted in 1918.
The design is based on Kentucky’s state seal.
State Information
- Population
- 4,505,836
- Area
- 40,408
- Founded
- 01 Jun 1792
- Region
- South
