The flag and banner
of the U.S. state of Oklahoma consists of a traditional Osage
Nation buffalo-skin shield with seven eagle feathers on a sky blue
field.
Symbolism
The Osage shield is covered by two symbols of peace: the peace
pipe or calumet representing Native Americans, and the olive
branch representing European Americans. Six golden brown crosses,
Native American symbols for stars, are spaced on the shield. The
blue field represents the first official flag flown by any Native
American Nation, the Choctaw flag of the American Civil War.
Salute
The state legislature adopted the following salute to the flag in
1982: "I salute the flag of the state of Oklahoma: Its symbols of
peace unite all people."
History
First state flag of Oklahoma, 1911–1925Oklahoma's first flag was
adopted in 1911, four years after statehood. Taking the colors
red, white, and blue from the flag of the United States, the flag
featured a large centered white star fimbriated in blue on a red
field. The number 46 was written in blue inside the star, as
Oklahoma was the forty-sixth state to join the Union.
A contest, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution
was held in 1924 to replace the flag, as Red flags were closely
associated with communism. The winning entry by Louise Fluke,
which was adopted as the state flag on 2 April 1925, resembled the
current flag without the word Oklahoma on it. The state's name was
added to the flag in 1941 as a tool in combating widespread
illiteracy. The colors and shapes were standardized by Oklahoma
Senate Bill 1359[1] and signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on
May 23, 2006.
Governor's flag
According to a statute adopted in 1957, the flag of the governor
of Oklahoma consists of a forest green field, fringed in gold,
charged with the state seal surrounded by a pentagram of five
white stars.
Sterling Silver Charm of Oklahoma |
