Oregon’s state flag is a navy blue, double-sided flag with gold lettering and symbols: the state escutcheon with 33 stars and “1859” on one side, and a gold beaver on the reverse.
For the full breakdown, see our best Beaver State Flag guide.
Flip Oregon’s flag over and a gold beaver stares back — it is the only US state flag with a different design on each side. Oregon Revised Statutes 186.010 sets the whole thing in law, and nearly every detail on it is a symbol, not decoration. Here is what each piece means, how it is officially proportioned, and the few facts people get wrong.
What Do The Symbols On The Oregon State Flag Mean?
Every symbol on the flag maps to a piece of Oregon’s identity: the stars count its place in the Union, the numerals mark its statehood year, and the beaver honors its state animal. The Oregon Secretary of State’s Blue Book lists these symbols as official designations under ORS 186.
Breaking the design down:
- 33 gold stars — Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state, so the stars carry that number.
- The numerals “1859” — the year Oregon became a state.
- The state escutcheon — the shield element from the state seal, rendered in gold on one side.
- Navy blue and gold — Oregon’s official state colors, used as the field and the lettering.
- The gold beaver on the reverse — the beaver is Oregon’s official state animal.
The wording above and below the escutcheon — “State of Oregon” and “1859” — is also gold, matching the rest of the lettering.
Why Is The Oregon Flag Double-Sided?
The Oregon flag is double-sided because the law defines two different faces: the escutcheon and lettering on one side, a gold beaver on the other. ORS 186.010 spells out both, and the reverse field is navy blue just like the front.
That two-faced construction is what makes Oregon’s flag unusual among US state flags, most of which carry the same design on both sides. The legal description specifically places the beaver “on the other side on a navy blue field,” so the reverse is part of the official design, not an optional flourish.
What Are The Official Oregon Flag Specifications?
The legally described field colors are navy blue and gold, the official proportions are 500:833 (height to width), and gold fringe is permitted for dress or parade use but is not required for standard use. Practical flags sold commercially are often made in 3:5 or 2:3 ratios, which are convenient sizes rather than the legal proportion.
Oregon’s own procurement specifications for the flag were issued in 1962 and amended in 1966, tightening the details beyond the statute’s broad description.
| Element | Official Detail | What It Represents |
|---|---|---|
| Field color | Navy blue | One of Oregon’s two state colors |
| Lettering and symbols | Gold | Oregon’s second state color |
| 33 stars | Gold, on the obverse | Admission as the 33rd state |
| “1859” figures | Gold, below the escutcheon | The year of statehood |
| Reverse side | Gold beaver | The state animal |
| Proportions | 500:833 height to width | The official ratio |
| Fringe | Gold, optional | Dress and parade display |
How Do You Display The Oregon Flag Correctly?
Oregon law reserves the flag for occasions when the state is officially and publicly represented, while private citizens may fly it on fitting and appropriate occasions. The Oregon Blue Book notes that the legislature designates the state’s symbols — the flag among them — through ORS 186. When you are choosing a size or ratio for a home display, the sizing options and materials that hold up outdoors make a real difference, and a tested flag guide can save you the guesswork. A small flag like this also pairs naturally with other state and historical pieces, so it is worth thinking about how it will sit alongside what you already display.
The Oregon flag uses elements of the state escutcheon, but the flag itself is not the state seal — a common mix-up worth correcting. The seal’s imagery appears on the flag, yet the two are separate official items with separate rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can private citizens legally fly the Oregon flag?
Yes. Oregon’s statute sets the flag apart for times when the state is officially and publicly represented, but it also allows citizens to use it on fitting and appropriate occasions. Home display and personal use are considered appropriate, so you do not need any official reason or permit to own and fly one.
Why does the Oregon flag have a beaver on it?
The beaver is Oregon’s official state animal, which is why the reverse side shows a gold beaver on a navy field. The choice ties the flag directly to the state’s natural heritage and its long association with the beaver trade. ORS 186.010 includes that beaver as part of the legal design.
Is the Oregon flag the same on both sides?
No. Oregon’s flag is double-sided by law, with the escutcheon, the 33 gold stars, “State of Oregon,” and “1859” on one face, and a gold beaver on the other. Most other US state flags carry a single mirrored design, which is what makes Oregon’s two-faced construction stand out.
References & Sources
- Oregon Secretary of State. “State Symbols.” Confirms Oregon’s official state symbols, including the flag and beaver.
- Oregon Legislature. “Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 186.” Carries the legal description of the flag under ORS 186.010.
- Britannica. “Flag of Oregon.” Provides the flag’s adoption and design context.
