Unique among state flags: a green field with the state seal at centre, bearing a portrait of George Washington himself. Simple, direct, and entirely unmistakable.
Green field with the state seal featuring George Washington at the 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 colored field
- Complexity
- 7/10
- Readability
- 5/10
- Seal-based design
- Yes
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
Green Field
Represents the state’s evergreen forests.
George Washington Seal
Honors the nation’s first president and the state’s namesake.
Design Breakdown
The Washington 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: Green field with the state seal featuring George Washington at the center.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Only state flag with a green field
- Only state flag featuring a U.S. president’s portrait
- Strongly tied to the Evergreen State identity
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Only green U.S. state flag
- Clear association with state name
- Strong natural color symbolism
Common criticism
- Includes text
- Detailed seal limits legibility at distance
- Portrait-based design lacks abstraction
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: Yes
Common suggestions
- Remove the state seal
- Eliminate text
- Adopt evergreen tree or mountain-based symbolism
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Washington state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Recognize Washington’s unique use of green.
- Explain why George Washington is honored on the flag.
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 Washington state seal centered on a dark green field.
Attributes: Portrait of George Washington, Circular seal design, State name
Meaning: Honor to the first U.S. president and the state’s namesake
Washington Portrait
A classical profile portrait of George Washington.
Attributes: George Washington profile
Meaning: Leadership, independence, and national founding principles
Color Field
Solid dark green background.
Meaning: Evergreen forests, natural resources, and Washington’s nickname as the Evergreen State
Historical Timeline
Washington admitted to the Union.
Current flag design officially adopted.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: State seal on colored field
Complexity: 7/10
Readability: 5/10
Fascinating Facts
Only state flag with a green field.
Only state flag with a U.S. president’s image.
The flag features George Washington, the nation’s first president.
The design is based on the state seal.
The green field represents Washington’s forests and natural landscape.
Gold trim is commonly used on ceremonial versions of the flag.
The seal shows Washington facing left in profile.
The current flag design was officially adopted in 1923.
State Information
- Population
- 7,705,281
- Area
- 71,362
- Founded
- 11 Nov 1889
- Region
- West
