Blue field with state coat of arms: shield quartered with symbols of labour, mining, agriculture and industry. Sailor and miner flank it; “1848” above for statehood; “Wisconsin” written beneath. Detailed, busy, and unapologetically industrious.
Blue field with ‘WISCONSIN’ above the coat of arms and ‘1848’ below.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- Legislative adoption (based on 1851 militia flag)
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- Yes
- Animals
- Badger
- Design type
- State seal on blue field
- Complexity
- 9/10
- Readability
- 3/10
- Seal-based design
- Yes
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
1848
Marks the year Wisconsin became a state.
Coat Of Arms
Represents mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and navigation.
Badger
State animal and nickname.
Design Breakdown
The Wisconsin 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 ‘WISCONSIN’ above the coat of arms and ‘1848’ below.
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Only state flag prominently featuring a badger
- Uses a single-word English motto
- Strong emphasis on 19th-century industry and trade
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Comprehensive economic symbolism
- Clear historical narrative
- Strong association with state identity
Common criticism
- Highly detailed seal
- Includes text and date
- Poor visibility at distance
- Very similar to other seal-on-blue flags
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: Yes
Common suggestions
- Remove the state seal
- Eliminate text and date
- Adopt a badger- or lake-based symbol
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the Wisconsin state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Identify trades and tools on the coat of arms.
- Discuss reasons for adding text to improve recognition.
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 Wisconsin state seal centered on a dark blue field.
Attributes: Shield with tools and symbols, Sailor and miner figures, Badger, Cornucopia, Anchor, State name and year
Meaning: Industry, agriculture, commerce, and Wisconsin’s statehood
Figures
A sailor and a miner standing as supporters of the shield.
Attributes: Sailor, Miner
Meaning: Trade via waterways and mineral extraction as early economic drivers
Badger
A badger positioned above the shield.
Attributes: Badger
Meaning: Wisconsin as the Badger State, representing perseverance and hard work
Motto And Date
The state motto 'Forward' and the year '1848'.
Attributes: English motto, Gold numerals
Meaning: Progress and Wisconsin’s admission to the Union
Historical Timeline
Admitted as the 30th state.
Wordmark ‘WISCONSIN’ and ‘1848’ added for identification.
Vexillology Notes
Design type: State seal on blue field
Complexity: 9/10
Readability: 3/10
Fascinating Facts
Known as the Badger State after lead miners who lived in hillside tunnels.
Design frequently cited in debates about simplifying seal-on-blue flags.
The state coat of arms is the central feature of the flag.
The badger appears as a symbol of perseverance.
The seal includes symbols of agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
The year 1848 marks Wisconsin’s admission to the Union.
The flag features a deep blue field.
The current design was officially adopted in 1913.
State Information
- Population
- 5,893,718
- Area
- 65,498
- Founded
- 29 May 1848
- Region
- Midwest
