The Great Seal of West Virginia, which is also the Coat of Arms, was adopted by the Legislature on September 26, 1863. It symbolizes the principal pursuits and resources of West Virginia. Described briefly, the Seal bears the legend, "State of West Virginia", together with the motto, "Montani Semper Liberi" (Mountaineers Are Always Free); a farmer stands to the right and a miner to the left of a large ivy-draped rock bearing the date of the State's admission to the Union. In front of the rock are two hunters' rifles upon which rests a Phrygian Cap, or "Cap of Liberty". Joseph H. Diss Debar of Doddridge County designed the State Seal in 1863 at the request of the first West Virginia Legislature.

Prior to the official adoption of the present State Flag by the Legislature on March 7, 1929, by Senate Joint Resolution No. 18, West Virginia had been represented by several flags. Prominently displayed on the pure white field of today's flag is a Coat of Arms, the lower half wreathed by Rhododendron, the State flower. Lettered across the top on a ribbon, is the constitutional designation -- "State of West Virginia". The white field is bordered on four sides by a strip of blue.

Old gold and blue were designated as the official state colors by the legislature on March 8, 1963.