Ohio State Flag

Date adopted: May 9, 1902

The Ohio Burgee is the distinctive and officially recognized flag of the U.S. state of Ohio. It stands out as the sole non-rectangular state flag in the United States, featuring a triangular swallowtail design. Its color scheme of red, white, and blue is symbolic of Ohio's natural attributes and its sequence of joining the Union. The flag prominently displays a circular "O" in the canton, alluding to the state's name. This unique flag was designed by John Eisenmann for the Pan-American Exposition in 1901 and formally adopted in 1902, filling a century-long gap when Ohio lacked an official state flag. The flag, outlined in Ohio Revised Code, showcases three red and two white horizontal stripes symbolizing the state's roadways and waterways. Centered in a blue triangular field representing Ohio's terrain, seventeen white five-pointed stars encircle a red disc with a white "O," signifying Ohio's place as the seventeenth state to join the Union and its nickname, the "buckeye state." The flag's design also pays homage to the state's history within the Northwest Territory. Ohio's burgee-shaped flag is not only distinctive but versatile, as its unique shape allows it to be displayed in various orientations. This flag holds a special place in Ohio's history and identity as it represents the state's natural beauty and historical significance.