Ohio Flag - Hi Vis

Ohio

The flag of Ohio is a rare departure from the rectangular norm—it’s the only U.S. state flag shaped like a swallowtail burgee, a nod to naval pennants and the state’s river and lake heritage. Designed in 1902 by architect John Eisenmann, the flag’s bold red, white, and blue elements draw directly from the national flag while expressing Ohio’s distinct identity. The red and white stripes symbolize the state’s roads and waterways, vital to its early growth, while the blue triangle represents the hills and valleys of the land. Inside the triangle sits a white circle with a red center—suggestive of both the letter “O” for Ohio and a rising sun over a new frontier. Seventeen stars frame the emblem, marking Ohio’s entry as the seventeenth state in the Union. The design is both inventive and patriotic, reflecting the creative spirit of a state that bridges the Midwest and the East.