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US State

Wisconsin — State Seal and Flag


A sailor and a yeoman (farmer) flank a quartered shield bearing a plow (agriculture), an arm and hammer (manufacturing), a pick and shovel (mining), and an anchor (navigation). A badger sits atop the shield as crest. A small US shield and E Pluribus Unum appear above. A cornucopia and pyramid of lead sit below. The motto “Forward” is inscribed on a banner.

Quick Facts

StateWisconsin (30th state, admitted 29 May 1848)
State sealSailor and yeoman flanking shield with plow, arm and hammer, pick and shovel, anchor
Seal adopted1851
State flagDark blue field with state coat of arms and WISCONSIN 1848
Flag adopted1913
MottoForward
CapitalMadison
NicknameThe Badger State
State flowerWood violet (Viola sororia)
Great Seal of Wisconsin

Great Seal of WisconsinSince 1851

Great Seal of Wisconsin

A sailor and a yeoman (farmer) flank a quartered shield bearing a plow (agriculture), an arm and hammer (manufacturing), a pick and shovel (mining), and an anchor (navigation). A badger sits atop the shield as crest. A small US shield and E Pluribus Unum appear above. A cornucopia and pyramid of lead sit below. The motto “Forward” is inscribed on a banner.

Flag of Wisconsin

Flag of WisconsinAdopted 1913

Flag of Wisconsin

A dark blue field bears the state coat of arms at center, with “WISCONSIN” above and “1848” below (added in 1981). Adopted 1913.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is on the Wisconsin state seal?

Sailor and yeoman flanking shield with plow, arm and hammer, pick and shovel, anchor. Badger crest. Forward motto. Adopted 1851.

What is the state motto?

Forward.

When was the flag adopted?

Dark blue field with state coat of arms and WISCONSIN 1848. Adopted 1913, name and date added 1981.

Sources & Further Reading

  • Smith, Whitney. Flags Through the Ages and Across the World. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975.
  • State Symbols USA. Seal and Flag of Wisconsin. statesymbolsusa.org.

Last reviewed by the Emblema Mundi editorial team on 2026-06-28.

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