A sky-blue field with the state seal ringed by the words “South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore State.” The seal shows farming, industry, hills and river, a panorama of the state’s economy. The encircling sun’s rays lend brightness to the emblem.
Sky-blue field with gold sunburst encircling the state seal; state name above and nickname below.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag Statute
The state flag or banner shall consist of a field of sky-blue one and two-thirds as long as it is wide. Centered on such field shall be the great seal of South Dakota made in conformity with the terms of the Constitution, which shall be four-ninths, the width of the flag in diameter. The seal shall be on a white background with the seal outlined in dark blue or, in the alternative, shall be on a sky-blue background with the seal outlined in dark blue thereon. Surrounding the seal in gold shall be a serrated sun whose extreme width shall be five-ninths the width of the flag. The words South Dakota symmetrically arranged to conform to the circle of the sun and seal shall appear in gold letters one-eighteenth the width of the field above the sun and seal and the words The Mount Rushmore State in like-sized gold letters and in like arrangement shall appear below the sun and seal. Flags designed of such material as may be provident for outdoor use need have no fringe but flags for indoor and display usage shall have a golden fringe one-eighteenth the width of the flag on the three sides other than the hoist.
Source: 1993 Statute (1993)
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- State Legislature (based on 1909 sun design)
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- Yes
- Animals
- None listed
- Design type
- State seal on colored field
- Complexity
- 9/10
- Readability
- 3/10
- Seal-based design
- Yes
Colors used
State Motto
“Under God, the People Rule”
State Anthem
Hail, South Dakota!
Flag Symbolism
Sunburst
Represents sunshine and openness of the plains.
State Seal
Shows farming, industry, and natural resources.
Lettering
‘South Dakota’ and ‘The Mount Rushmore State’ identify the state.
Design Breakdown
The South Dakota 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: Sky-blue field with gold sunburst encircling the state seal; state name above and nickname below.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Uses a lighter blue field than most state flags
- Strong emphasis on labor and frontier industry
- Representative example of Great Plains seal-based flags
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Clear representation of frontier life
- Distinctive light blue field
- Strong agricultural symbolism
Common criticism
- Highly detailed seal
- Includes text
- Poor visibility at distance
- Very similar to other seal-based state flags
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: Yes
Common suggestions
- Remove the state seal
- Eliminate text
- Adopt a bison, Black Hills, or prairie-based symbol
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the South Dakota state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Identify the elements of the state seal.
- Explain why the sunburst symbolizes the plains.
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 South Dakota state seal placed at the center of a light blue field.
Attributes: Farmer, Blacksmith, River, Steamboat, Hills and plains, State name
Meaning: Agriculture, industry, transportation, and the development of the state
Figures
A farmer plowing and a blacksmith working at an anvil.
Attributes: Farmer, Blacksmith
Meaning: The importance of labor, self-reliance, and economic productivity
Landscape
A river scene with plains and distant hills.
Attributes: River, Plains, Hills
Meaning: South Dakota’s natural environment and transportation routes
State Name
The words 'SOUTH DAKOTA' displayed above the seal.
Attributes: Gold capital letters
Meaning: Clear labeling of the state
Historical Timeline
Admitted as a state (same day as North Dakota).
Current layout with seal adopted.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: State seal on colored field
Complexity: 9/10
Readability: 3/10
Fascinating Facts
Shares statehood date with North Dakota (order intentionally obscured).
Mount Rushmore is the state’s most famous landmark.
The state seal is the central feature of the flag.
The motto 'Under God the People Rule' appears on the seal.
The hills and river represent South Dakota’s landscape.
A sunburst symbolizes growth and opportunity.
The flag features a sky-blue field.
The current design was officially adopted in 1992.
State Information
- Population
- 886,667
- Area
- 77,116
- Founded
- 02 Nov 1889
- Region
- Midwest
