The West Virginia state flag prominently depicts the state’s seal which includes a rock with the date June 20, 1863 carved in it, the day West Virginia officially became a state of the Union. The two men represent farming and mining. Below them are two rifles with a “Liberty Cap” on top the rifles. A banner ribbon includes the state motto “Mountaineers Are Always Free.” Around the picture is a wreath of rhododendron, or big laurel, and the name of the state on a red ribbon.
The flag as it is known today was approved by Senate Joint Resolution No. 18 on March 7, 1929.