The State Flags Quiz – Facts Worth Knowing

Take the state flags quiz to see whether you know Ohio's swallowtail shape, California's grizzly bear and the Big Dipper on Alaska's flag. Ten questions cover facts worth knowing.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Shapes
Which state has the only non-rectangular state flag?
Animals
Which animal appears on California's state flag?
Stars
Alaska's flag shows the North Star and which constellation pattern?
Heraldry
Which state's flag uses the coat of arms of the Calvert family?
Symbols
The red Zia sun symbol appears on which state's flag?
Texas
How many stars are on the Texas state flag?
Hawaii
Which other country's flag appears in the corner of Hawaii's flag?
Changes
Which state adopted a new flag in 2024 showing a dark blue shape of the state and an eight-pointed star?
Colors
Which state's flag shows a palmetto tree and a crescent?
Study
What is the study of flags called?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which state has the only non-rectangular state flag?
Answer: Ohio
Ohio's flag is a swallowtail pennant called a burgee. Its circle represents the O in Ohio and a buckeye nut.
Q2: Which animal appears on California's state flag?
Answer: A grizzly bear
The flag shows a California grizzly. Ironically, grizzlies no longer live wild in the state; the last one was seen in the 1920s.
Q3: Alaska's flag shows the North Star and which constellation pattern?
Answer: The Big Dipper
A 13-year-old student, Benny Benson, designed the flag in 1927. The Big Dipper points to the North Star.
Q4: Which state's flag uses the coat of arms of the Calvert family?
Answer: Maryland
Maryland's black, gold, red and white flag comes from the arms of the Calverts, the Lords Baltimore.
Q5: The red Zia sun symbol appears on which state's flag?
Answer: New Mexico
The Zia symbol comes from the Zia Pueblo people. Its four groups of rays represent sacred meanings of the number four.
Q6: How many stars are on the Texas state flag?
Answer: One
The single star gives Texas its Lone Star nickname, dating from the Republic of Texas in the 1830s.
Q7: Which other country's flag appears in the corner of Hawaii's flag?
Answer: The United Kingdom
The Union Jack recalls Hawaii's early ties with Britain. The eight stripes stand for the main islands.
Q8: Which state adopted a new flag in 2024 showing a dark blue shape of the state and an eight-pointed star?
Answer: Minnesota
Minnesota's new flag, adopted in 2024, has a dark blue shape like the state and an eight-pointed star for the North Star.
Q9: Which state's flag shows a palmetto tree and a crescent?
Answer: South Carolina
The crescent recalls badges worn by soldiers in 1775. The palmetto honors a fort whose palmetto logs absorbed British cannonballs.
Q10: What is the study of flags called?
Answer: Vexillology
The word comes from the Latin vexillum, a Roman banner. Flag experts often rank state flags by simplicity and symbolism.

The State Flags Quiz – Stories in Cloth

Many US state flags follow a simple pattern: the state seal on a blue background. Flag experts call these seals on a bedsheet and say they are hard to tell apart. A few states, such as Texas, New Mexico and Maryland, have bold designs recognized far beyond their borders.

In recent years several states have redesigned their flags. Mississippi adopted a new magnolia flag in 2021, and Minnesota and Utah introduced new designs in 2024, chosen through public contests.

What This Quiz Teaches

Anyone who enjoys symbols, history or design will find this quiz an easy introduction to state flags.

Why Ohio's flag is a different shape
Who designed Alaska's flag
What the Zia symbol means
Which states changed their flags recently
What vexillology means

Did You Know?

Mississippi adopted its magnolia flag in January 2021.
Washington's flag is the only state flag with a green background.
Oregon's flag has a different design on each side.
Texas adopted its flag in 1839, when it was still an independent republic.
Many state flags were adopted between 1890 and 1920.