What is the only state flag that is two-sided? Answer
What is the only state flag that is two-sided?
Answer:
The only state flag in the United States that is officially considered two-sided is the flag of Oregon. This unique distinction sets it apart from other state flags, which generally have the same design on both sides or only one side.
About the Oregon State Flag:
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Obverse (Front) Side:
- The front side of the Oregon state flag displays the state seal. The seal includes a shield surrounded by thirty-three stars, representing Oregon’s position as the 33rd state to join the Union. The shield itself features symbols like the American eagle, a covered wagon, a British man-of-war ship, and an American merchant ship, which signifies the transition of power over Oregon from the British to the United States.
- Above the shield, there is a banner with the text “State of Oregon,” and below it, the year “1859,” which is the year Oregon was admitted to the Union.
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Reverse (Back) Side:
- The back side of the flag features a different design altogether: an image of a beaver, which is the state animal of Oregon. This is a unique characteristic since no other state flag has two distinct images on its two sides.
The two-sided design of the Oregon state flag exemplifies the state’s rich history and natural heritage. The presence of the beaver on the reverse side underscores the importance of the animal in Oregon’s history, particularly during the fur trade era.
This dual design is not only symbolic but also makes the Oregon state flag visually and historically distinctive among the flags of the United States.