| Use | Civil and state flag |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:1.6 - except for 3'x5' and 4'x6' |
| Adopted | 1925 |
| Design | The state seal sized at 1/3 the length of the flag centered on a field of dark green. |
The flag of the state of Washington consists of the state seal (which bears an image of George Washington) on a field of dark green with gold fringe being optional. It is the only U.S. state flag with a field of green as well as the only state flag with the image of an American president.
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The design was adopted in 1923, prior to which Washington had no official state flag. At the turn of the 20th century, Washington state residents flew a blue military flag with President Washington's profile in gold according to information on the Washington Secretary of State's Web site. Later unofficial flags were similar to today's flag but featured the state seal in gold on a green or purple field.
In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial flags. The survey found that the flag of Washington ranked 25th-worst out of all 72 in the running, ranking 47th out of the 72.[1]
Because the seal must be stitched on both sides, the flag is the most costly state flag in the United States. People who wish to duplicate the Washington state flag must send two copies of their version of the flag to the Washington Secretary of State. If approved, the secretary will then send one copy of the flag back to its maker marked "approved" and keep the other on file.[2]
According to state law (RCW 1.20.010), "The official flag of the state of Washington shall be of dark green silk or bunting and shall bear in its center a reproduction of the seal of the state of Washington embroidered, printed, painted or stamped thereon. The edges of the flag may, or may not, be fringed. If a fringe is used the same shall be of gold or yellow color of the same shade as the seal. The dimensions of the flag may vary."
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