The pose of the Native American on the plate is consistent with several scenarios in which a bow and arrow might be used, the order said.

"Therefore, even if a person were to do the research plaintiff did as to the history of the license plate and of the ‘Sacred Rain Arrow’ statue, that would not necessarily lead to the conclusion that Oklahoma was intending to send, by its adoption of the image, the same message that Mr. Houser had in mind or intended to depict," the order said.

The order said Cressman does have an alternative.

"Oklahoma provides a simple, inexpensive, and readily available alternative, in the form of a specialty plate, for those who object to any aspect of a standard plate, an option which plaintiff has exercised both before and since his concerns with the standard license plate arose," the order said.

Nate Kellum, an attorney for Cressman, said they are disappointed in the ruling and that an appeal is expected.

Cressman does not want to promote the image and should be afforded the chance to have another plate at no extra cost, Kellum said. A car’s license plate is a traveling billboard, reflecting the personality, interests and beliefs of a driver, Kellum said.