The flag of South
Dakota represents the U.S. state of South Dakota with a field of
sky blue charged with a version (in navy blue on white) of the
state seal in the center, surrounded by gold triangles
representing the sun's rays, surrounded in turn by inscriptions in
gold sans-serif capitals of "SOUTH DAKOTA" on top and "THE MOUNT
RUSHMORE STATE" (the state nickname) on the bottom. The
inscription on the bottom was "THE SUNSHINE STATE" before it was
changed in 1992.
According to a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological
Association, South Dakota’s flag was among the poorest of U.S. and
Canadian subnational flags in design quality.
Flag pledgeThe official
pledge of the South Dakota flag is "I pledge loyalty and support
to the flag and state of South Dakota, land of sunshine, land of
infinite variety." The only protocol to the state flag pledge is
that it does not either replace or preempt the Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag of the United States.
Original Flag
The original Flag of Dakota consisted of a dominate sun encircled
by the text "South Dakota" and "The Sunshine State".
The 1909 statute stated:
“ The Flag of South Dakota shall consist of a field of blue, one
and two-thirds as long as it is wide, in the center of which shall
be a blazing sun in gold, two-fifths as wide in diameter as the
width of the flag. Above this sun shall be arranged in the arc of
the circle, in gold letters, the words 'South Dakota' and below
this sun in the arc of the circle shall be arranged the words in
gold letters, 'The Sunshine State', and on the reverse of the
blazing sun shall be printed in dark blue the Great Seal of the
State Of South Dakota. The edges of the flag shall be trimmed with
a fringe of gold, to be in proportion to the width of the flag.
The staff shall be surmounted by a spearhead to which shall be
attached cord and tassels of suitable length and size.
Sterling Silver Charm of South Dakota |
