Ohio

Ohio’s flag was designed by John Eisenmann for the Pan-American Exposition of 1901, copyrighted that year, and officially adopted on May 9, 1902. It is the only non-rectangular U.S. state flag, using a swallow-tail burgee form that recalls cavalry guidons and maritime pennants. The five red and white stripes represent the state’s roads and waterways, the blue triangle symbolizes Ohio’s hills and valleys, and the central white "O" with a red disk evokes both the state name and a buckeye seed. The seventeen white stars commemorate Ohio as the 17th state, with thirteen honoring the original colonies and four added to complete the total.