Seven Flags Every Washingtonian Should Know

Have you ever been traveling here in the Pacific Northwest and seen a flag flying proudly at the end of a pole and thought to yourself I wonder what that flag stands for?

Well, if that's the case, then you're in luck! Because I've put together a handy-dandy list of seven flags that every Northwest resident should know.

Now most of these are gonna be no-brainers to a lot of you geography nerds out there, but a lot of other folks might not have a clue about at least some of them. So get ready to soak in some standards and kick total butt the next time a similar category comes up on Jeopardy!

I. WASHINGTON
Yeah, I know...duh!, right? But seriously, some folks truly have no clue what their home state's flag actually looks like.

Well, the good news here is that as long as you also know whose mug is on the dollar bill and the quarter, you've got this one aced for sure since...not surprisingly...the state named after George Washington also happens to feature his image.

Oh, and if that's not enough to jog your memory for some reason, think "Evergreen State" and that might just do it!

II. OREGON
There are only two other states that border Washington, one to the east and one to the south, and our southern neighbors have a flag that should also be easily recognized if you wanna call yourself a real Northwesterner.

The key thing to remember about the Beaver State's flag are those four numbers that make up the date of its admission to the union - 1859.

Oh, and speaking of beavers, there also happens to be one on the reverse of Oregon's official banner, while the front features an escutcheon with a big pretty bird at the top and the words "State Of Oregon" above it...gee, now that I think of it...I guess that might be the only clue you need to get this one right, huh?

III. IDAHO
Washington's other neighbor lies on the Evergreen State's eastern border, and that's where we say 'hello!' to Idaho!

Just like Oregon's state flag, the Gem State's background color of choice is blue and it also includes a scroll with the words "State of Idaho" below the state's official seal, which shouldn't make it too hard to miss in your lightning round quiz either.

By the way, the seal depicts a miner and a woman who represent the virtues of equality, liberty and justice, along with some of Idaho's natural resources like mines, forests, farmland and wildlife.

IV. CANADA
Yeah, we can chalk up another "duh!" moment for most of you. But hey!...you gotta admit that if you don't know what the flag of Washington's only international neighbor looks like, you might just come across as a total goof when ordering poutine anywhere close to the border.

Of course, Canada's banner is world famous for its emboldened red-on-white color scheme and iconic maple leaf.

So if you fell asleep a lot in geography class or you're potentially new to Planet Earth...well then, this is what the Canadian flag looks like.

V. BRITISH COLUMBIA
Now this one's not that easy for a lot of folks to recognize!

Sure, just about all of us know what Canada's standard looks like, but the lone Canadian province that borders Washington State is a different story altogether.

The flag of B.C. features a rendition of the Royal Union Flag with a crown in the center at the top, and a setting sun at the bottom - which is designed to represent the view from Canada's parliament across the water at the western edge of the nation.

VI. SEATTLE
Most folks are unaware that Washington State's largest city also has an official flag of its own!

Surprisingly, the Emerald City's standard is not green in color, but teal blue and featuring the bust of Chief Seattle surrounded by a series of wavy, abstract lines.

The flag also includes the words "City Of Goodwill" above its native namesake's image, along with the name "Seattle" below.

So even though this one might not be immediately recognizable, you'll know who it belongs to if you just look a little closer.

VII. DON'T TREAD ON ME
The only flag to make our list that doesn't represent a city, state, province or country is this one.

It's a standard that's beginning to pop up more and more all over Washington State and the entire U.S in front yards and flapping from the rooflines of cars and trucks.

There are actually numerous versions of the "Don't Tread On Me" flag, but the one depicted here is the original, which features bright yellow backdrop with a coiled timber rattlesnake on a bed of grass with the classic moniker in block letters below.

The flag is named after politician Christopher Gadsden, who designed it in 1775 during the American Revolution.

The banner's iconic design is intended to serve as a warning of vigilance and willingness to act in defense against coercion; which has led its association with the ideologies of individualism and liberty.

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