West Virginia's official flag was adopted in 1929. The flag has a white field surrounded by blue. The state seal is encircled by a garland of the state flower (rhododendron), in the center of the flag. The seal pictures two men (a farmer and a miner) around a rock bearing the date June 20, 1863 (the day West Virginia split from Virginia and became a state). Below the men are two rifles and a red liberty cap (a symbol of freedom). A red ribbon below the men has the state motto, "MONTANI SEMPER LIBERI" (meaning "Mountaineers are always free" in Latin). A large red ribbon above the seal reads, "STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA."

West Virginia was the 35th state in the USA; it became a state in 1863.