Flag adoption date: March 23, 1927 

The state flag of Kansas features the official state seal in the center and a sunflower, the official state flower of Kansas, directly above it. Under the sunflower is a bar of gold and light blue which represents the Louisiana Purchase. Under the seal is KANSAS spelled out in all capital letters. 

The official state flag was adopted many years after Kansas became admitted into statehood. Before the flag was designed and adopted in 1927, a state banner was used in its place.

Flag Details

The state seal represents Kansas and Kansas life. It shows thirty-four stars representing the 34th state admitted to the Union. Above the stars is the state motto “Ad astra per aspera” translated as “To the Stars Through Difficulties”.  A sunrise overshadows a farmer plowing a field near his log cabin, a steamboat sailing the Kansas River, a wagon train heading west and Native Americans hunting bison.The bison represents the millions of bison that once roamed the plains and the wagon train represents the American expansion to the west. 

Symbol Representation

• 34 stars – The 34th state admitted to the union
• Ad astra per aspera-  Kansas’ state motto
• Sunrise – The rising sun in the east
• Farmer plowing the fields- Agriculture
• Wagon Train- Westward expansion
• Bison- The large population that once inhabited Kansas’ plains