The city of Vancouver, Washington, has officially adopted a new flag, replacing its first flag that flew for three decades.

On Nov. 10, city council passed a resolution to adopt the design recommended by the city’s seven-member flag selection committee. The design combines elements from two of the committee’s recommended finalists.

The new flag, created by designers Brooke Nugent and Nathan Hunter, who both live in Southwest Washington, features three elements:

• A dark green upper field, symbolizing Vancouver’s natural environment.
• A dark blue lower field, representing the Columbia River.
• A white chevron in the shape of a “V” for Vancouver, symbolizing the unity of the community.

At the center, a white emblem draws inspiration from local landmarks such as Fort Vancouver and the Salmon Run Bell Tower in downtown’s Esther Short Park.

Vancouver to choose new flag capturing city’s emerging identity

Vancouver’s previous flag, adopted in 1993, depicted a white bird over a river and mountains with a rising sun, along with the words “Vancouver U.S.A.” and a motto below.

The North American Vexillological Association, which advised the city’s flag selection committee, determined that the old flag did not meet the five principles of good flag design: simplicity, meaningful symbolism, two to three colors, no lettering or seals, and distinctiveness.

Earlier this year, the flag selection committee reviewed 138 public submissions based on those principles and selected six finalists for public feedback.

The new flag is part of the city’s broader rebranding effort to give Vancouver a distinct identity from neighboring Portland.

Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, who also served on the flag selection committee, called the new flag a “powerful reflection” of the city.

“It represents our natural surroundings, the iconic places that define Vancouver, and the creativity that makes our community special. This flag truly tells the story of a community on the rise,” she said in a written statement.

For this Portland vexillologist, every day is Flag Day

Over the past decade, several Oregon cities including Silverton, Albany and Salem have adopted new flags to refresh their civic images. Hillsboro is currently inviting residents to vote on three finalists until Dec. 10, with its inaugural city flag expected to be adopted in early January.

Vancouver’s new flag will be raised on the city hall flagpost around 3 p.m. on Nov. 28, followed by a prize presentation to the winning designers during the city’s annual holiday tree lighting celebration.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/11/12/vancouver-southwest-washington-adopts-new-flag/