The colors are taken from the Ohio flag, seal and other state symbols. Red represents the Cardinal, the state bird. White is for Ohio's major cities. Blue symbolizes Ohio's waterways from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Azure, from the far hills of the state seal, denotes the eight sons of Ohio who served as President of the United States.

The azure-blue combination represents Ohio as the birthplace of light, flight and the first man on the moon, namely Thomas Edison, The Wright Brothers and Neil Armstrong. Gold from the seal symbolizes Ohio's leadership in agriculture. The thread count proportions are based on the date Ohio was admitted to the Union, March 1, 1803. After being submitted for sett review to the Scottish Tartan Society, it was approved and registered as Ohio Tartan on March 29, 1984.