Section 1.141 of the state statutes prescribes the design and use of Minnesota's flag. The flag is rectangular and features a design emblazoned in the center of a field of medium blue. According to statute, the flag is bordered with gold and finished with gold fringe, but this is rarely used.

The present state flag was adopted by the 1957 legislature. The flag is royal blue with a gold fringe. Pictured in the center of the flag is the state seal. Three dates are woven into a wreath of the state flower: 1858, the statehood year; 1819, the year Fort Snelling was established; and 1893, the year the original flag was adopted.

The first state flag, adopted in 1893 and designed by Mrs. Edward H. Center, had on the obverse side a white field bearing the seal, the name of the state, and 19 gold stars symbolizing Minnesota as the 19th state to follow the original 13; the reverse of the flag was plain blue.