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: Not specified in law
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- Florence Hazen Miller
- Ratio
- Not specified in law
- 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.’
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
Historical Timeline
Nebraska admitted as 37th state.
Official flag adopted.
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
- Mar 1, 1867
