The Flag of South Dakota: History, Meaning, and Symbolism

All around the world, flags fly to represent countries, states, monarchies, and political groups, to name a few. Although many flags feature bright colors, they are actually much more than visual symbols. This is because flags often symbolise things such as hope, history, war, or loss. Many US state flags feature a blue field with the state symbol in the center — including the flag of South Dakota. But what does this flag symbolize? How does the flag of South Dakota tell us about the state’s history? Let’s find out!

About South Dakota

Located in the North Central region of the US, South Dakota is the seventeenth largest state. South Dakota is named after the Dakota and Lakota Sioux tribes, which currently have nine reservations in the state. The Missouri River crosses the state and divides it into two halves. These are known as the “East River” and “West River.” The state also forms part of the Great Plains region. The Black Hills are located in the southwestern region of the state. They are home to South Dakota’s most famous landmark — Mount Rushmore.

For hundreds of years, South Dakota was inhabited mainly by native tribes. The Arikara — also known as Ree — were the predominant tribe in the area by the 1500s. However, the Sioux were the main tribe by the beginning of the nineteenth century.

The first Europeans arrived in the area in the 1700s, and in 1762 the area became part of Spanish Louisiana. However, in 1803 the US purchased the Louisiana Territory — which included the area that is now South Dakota. The Dakota Territory was formed in 1861. It was comprised of the areas that have since become North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as parts of Montana and Wyoming.

The rapidly increasing population of the Territory eventually caused political unrest as the south was much more populated than the northern region. The movement of the territorial capital to Bismarck only increased tension. In 1887 the residents voted to divide the area in half — forming North Dakota and South Dakota. On November 2, 1889, both regions officially became states. Before signing the official documentation, then-president, Benjamin Harrison, had the papers shuffled and obscured from his view as he signed them so that no one knows which was signed first.

What Animals Live in South Dakota?

South Dakota features a diverse range of wildlife. You can find mountain goats, bison, prairie dogs, white-tail deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and other creatures. The state also has 400 species of birds, including bald eagles, Chinese ring-necked pheasants, owls, and hawks.

History of the Flag of South Dakota

The flag of South Dakota consists of a blue field with a navy blue and white version of the state seal in the center. Surrounding the seal are numerous gold triangles that represent the sun. The state’s name surrounds the upper part of the seal and the sun, while the lower half reads, “ The Mount Rushmore State.”

The current version is an amended version of the flag of South Dakota that was adopted in 1963. In November 1992, the words “The Sunshine State” were replaced with the new wording “The Mount Rushmore State.”

The current flag’s design comes from South Dakota’s very first flag, which was adopted in 1909. This flag consisted of a blue field with a yellow sun encircled by the name of the state and “The Sunshine State.” On the reverse side of the flag was the state seal. However, the cost and practicalities of making a double-sided flag meant that very few were made or flown. It was eventually decided to combine the two emblems into one — creating the design that has been used since 1963.

A proposal was made in 2012 to adopt a new state flag and invite the public to submit proposals for the new design. However, the bill was deferred indefinitely, meaning that, for now at least, the flag of South Dakota shall remain the same.

Symbolism and Meaning

There are three aspects to the flag of South Dakota — the inscription, the sun, and the state seal. The inscription is the first and most obvious meaning, which refers to the unique memorial in the Black Hills. The sun — and by extension — the original inscription symbolises the weather in South Dakota, which is predominantly sunny.

The main feature of the flag of South Dakota is the state seal in the center. Dr. Joseph Ward designed the state seal in 1885 — four years before South Dakota became a state. Originally, the outer circle of the seal read “State of Dakota.” However, this was changed in 1889 to “State of South Dakota.” It also features the year of statehood at the bottom.

The inner circle of the seal depicts a winding river with a steamboat on it. On the left side, near the river is a mine and a furnace, while a series of hills are in the background. In the foreground on the right side of the river is a farmer plowing the fields with cattle grazing in the background. On a scroll at the top is the state motto — “Under God the people rule.”

The images on the seal represent several aspects of the state — its agricultural, mining, and commercial industries and its natural beauty. The river dividing the seal represents the Missouri River and how it divides the state. The state motto was adopted at the same time as the seal. It is one of four state mottos that expresses a religious sentiment.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Millenius/Shutterstock.com