On dark blue, the state seal: beehive for industry, eagle for protection, sego lilies for peace, flags and dates of statehood. A new simplified version (2024) pares this down with modern clarity, red and white mountains beneath a blue sky, crowned by a beehive star.
Blue background with central circle containing beehive, mountains, and arcs of color.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- State Legislature redesign
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- No
- Animals
- None listed
- Design type
- Modern symbolic emblem flag
- Complexity
- 3/10
- Readability
- 9/10
- Seal-based design
- No
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
Beehive
Symbol of industry and community.
Mountains
Represent Utah’s natural landscape.
Red Arc
Represents southern red rock formations.
Design Breakdown
The Utah 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 background with central circle containing beehive, mountains, and arcs of color.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- One of the newest U.S. state flag designs
- Uses the beehive as a standalone central symbol
- Deliberately replaces a seal-on-blue-field flag
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Clear symbolism without a seal
- Strong connection to state identity
- Modern, distinctive design
- Excellent visibility at distance
Common criticism
- Breaks from traditional seal-based expectations
- New design unfamiliar to some residents
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: No
Notable proposals
- Final design adopted following the Utah Flag Redesign Commission process
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Utah state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Compare Utah’s old and new flag designs.
- Identify symbolism of the beehive in state culture.
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
Beehive
A gold beehive centered on the flag.
Attributes: Gold beehive
Meaning: Industry, community, and perseverance
Six Pointed Star
A white six-pointed star positioned above the beehive.
Attributes: White six-pointed star
Meaning: Utah as the 45th state, with the star representing guidance and aspiration
Mountains
Stylized white mountains forming a geometric backdrop.
Attributes: White mountain peaks
Meaning: Utah’s mountain ranges and rugged landscape
Color Field
Deep blue field with gold, white, and red accents.
Meaning: Continuity with historical Utah symbolism and national colors
Historical Timeline
Original flag with state seal adopted.
New simplified design officially adopted.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: Modern symbolic emblem flag
Complexity: 3/10
Readability: 9/10
Fascinating Facts
Utah’s nickname, the Beehive State, reflects values of hard work and cooperation.
In 2024, Utah became one of the few states to modernize its flag design.
The beehive is the central symbol of the new flag.
The hexagon shape represents strength and unity.
Blue symbolizes Utah’s skies and waterways.
White represents snow and the state’s mountain peaks.
Red honors Utah’s pioneer heritage.
The redesign moved away from a seal-on-blue layout for better recognition.
State Information
- Population
- 3,271,616
- Area
- 84,897
- Founded
- 04 Jan 1896
- Region
- West
