The Oregon state flag is the only one with a different picture on each side. The only countries with a two-sided flag are Paraguay and Moldova. The reverse side (back) has a beaver, which is Oregon’s state animal. For this reason, the state is often called the Beaver State. Both sides of the flag have a field of navy blue with a gold design. The state’s motto is “She Flies With Her Own Wings” and “The Union.”
The front picture is of a heart shaped shield with an eagle on top surrounded by thirty-three stars representing Oregon’s admission to the Union as the 33rd state. The shield depicts the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, mountains, a covered wagon, and forests. The covered wagon represents the Oregonians who traveled on the Oregon Trail to settle the West. A plow, pickax, and wheat symbolize the farming and mining of the state. The eagle denotes the United States.
It also has a British ship leaving and an American ship arriving. This is to symbolize the transfer of the Oregon Territory from British to US control in 1846, when President Polk signed a treaty with England.
Oregon became a state in 1859; however, its current flag didn’t become official until February, 1925. It does have STATE OF OREGON on the top of the flag and 1859 on the bottom to represent the year Oregon became a state in the union.
For parade or dress usage, gold fringe on the flag may be used; however, for standard usage no fringe is required. Other protocols listed in state law require the flag to be flown on all public buildings during normal hours except during harsh weather. A public building is defined as :
(a) State institutions.
(b) All other state buildings upon which the Oregon Department of Administrative Services determines it is suitable to display the Oregon State flag.
(c) County courthouses.
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