Dark blue with the state seal in gold: steamboat, train, cabin, smith with hammer, and mountains beyond. It is a panorama of industry and frontier. Words around it proclaim “Great Seal of the State of Nebraska, March 1st 1867.” A textbook in emblem form.
Blue field with gold state seal at center.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- Legislative adoption
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- Yes
- Animals
- None listed
- Design type
- State seal on blue field
- Complexity
- 9/10
- Readability
- 3/10
- Seal-based design
- Yes
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
Blacksmith
Represents labor and industry.
Steamboat
Symbolizes commerce on the Missouri River.
Motto
‘Equality before the law.’
Design Breakdown
The Nebraska 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 gold state seal at center.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Features a blacksmith as the central human figure
- Strong emphasis on frontier labor and transportation
- Representative example of Great Plains seal-based flags
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Detailed depiction of frontier life
- Strong agricultural and industrial symbolism
- Clear historical narrative
Common criticism
- Highly detailed seal
- Includes text
- Low visibility at distance
- Very similar to other seal-on-blue state flags
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: Yes
Common suggestions
- Remove the state seal
- Eliminate text
- Adopt a simple plains, river, or corn-based symbol
- Create a more distinctive color palette
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Nebraska state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Explain Nebraska’s motto.
- Identify industrial and agricultural symbols in the seal.
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 Great Seal of the State of Nebraska centered on a dark blue field.
Attributes: Blacksmith with anvil and hammer, Steamboat on a river, Cabin and wheat sheaves, Rocky Mountains in the distance, State name
Meaning: Industry, agriculture, transportation, westward expansion, and settlement
Blacksmith
A blacksmith working at an anvil in the foreground.
Attributes: Anvil, Hammer
Meaning: Hard work, craftsmanship, and economic self-reliance
Landscape
A scene showing a river with a steamboat, plains, cabin, and distant mountains.
Attributes: River, Steamboat, Plains, Mountains
Meaning: Transportation, settlement, and Nebraska’s role in westward migration
State Name
The word 'NEBRASKA' displayed above the seal.
Attributes: Gold capital letters
Meaning: Clear labeling of the state
Historical Timeline
Nebraska admitted as 37th state.
Official flag adopted.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: State seal on blue field
Complexity: 9/10
Readability: 3/10
Fascinating Facts
One of several state flags criticized for being a seal on blue.
Motto emphasizes fairness and equality.
The state seal is the central element of the flag.
The motto 'Equality Before the Law' appears across the seal.
A steamboat represents commerce on the Missouri River.
A blacksmith symbolizes labor and industry.
The flag features a deep blue field.
The design was officially adopted in 1925.
State Information
- Population
- 1,961,504
- Area
- 77,348
- Founded
- 01 Mar 1867
- Region
- Midwest
