Option 40
My redesign of the Washington flag uses a white and sky-blue compass rose against a deep evergreen field in order to create a symbolism that would capture not only the geography, but also the history of the state. The choice of the green field refers to Washington's nickname as the "Evergreen State" and reflects the rich forests found in west and east Washington, and establishes continuity with the current flag. Meanwhile, the colors of the compass rose (namely, the white and sky-blue colors) refer to the mountain peaks, glaciers, rivers and lakes, waterways and even the blue skies characteristic of Washington and the greater Cascadia/Pacific Northwest region. More than just geography, however, the compass rose also represents the complete history of the state itself, which has always been defined by exploration, navigation, trade, and connections. Indeed, the compass rose refers to everything from Indigenous trade and canoe networks that connected communities across the Pacific Northwest, to the maritime exploration of Puget Sound and the growth of early coastal settlements centered around its harbors and waterways, and later through the railroads, rivers, agricultural corridors, and frontier routes that linked the Evergreen State from the Pacific coast to the Inland Northwest. Today, that legacy continues through Washington’s global role in naval activity, aviation, aerospace, technology, logistics, and trans-Pacific trade, reflecting a state whose history has always been defined not only by where it is, but by the people, ideas, and commerce moving through it. Finally, the compass rose could also pay tribute to George Washington through its resemblance to his star-spangled personal flag, although this is arguably a weaker connection and one I find less important.
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