Virginia State Flag

Flag of Virginia

Virginia state flags are a powerful symbol of the state and the its citizens' love for liberty. The current flag is a relatively recent invention, but it can trace a clear line of descent from a VA state flag that was used during the American Civil War, and some elements of its design can be traced back to the earliest days of the American Revolution.

Colors and Symbolism of the VA State Flag

Virginia state flags feature a dark blue field with the obverse side of the state's seal in the center. The state seal features a representation of virtue standing over a dead man who is dressed in a purple Roman costume. The words "Sic Semper Tyrannis" are written beneath the body.

The seal's design draws heavily on classical imagery from the Roman Republic. The choice to base the design on Roman images was made in order to distance the state's emblem from the traditional heraldry of the British crown. The woman on the seal is a symbol of liberty and virtue, while the man is a symbol of tyranny. His purple clothing emphasizes the symbolism because it was a sign of royalty and power in the days of Rome. The triumph of virtue over liberty reflects America's independence from British rule. "Sic Semper Tyrannis" is a Latin phrase that means "Thus always to tyrants" and is commonly associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar during the last days of the Roman Republic.

History of Virginia State Flags

The seal on the VA state flag was designed in 1776 at approximately the same time that the Declaration of Independence was published. It was first used on a state flag of Virginia in 1861, when the state of Virginia succeeded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America. The original depiction of the seal was simpler than the current form, but the designs are fundamentally similar to each other. The original design was loosely defined when it was first passed, so flags often showed a high degree of variance. The design was standardized and defined in greater detail in 1950, which created the modern state flag of Virginia.

A short history of the Virginia State flag
In honor of Queen Elizabeth I of England, Virginia was named, and in 1607 became the first permanent English settlement in North America, at Jamestown Virginia.Virginia was also one of the original states in the Union, and was a leading part in the revolutionary struggle. The seal shows Virtus with one foot on the dead body of Tyranny, whose crown has fallen off and lies nearby. The motto translates as "thus ever to tyrants". The central seal is within a wreath and was designed in 1776 by George Wythe. On April 17,1861 Virginia seceded from the Union and by the end of that month the seal was used in the flag. The seal appeared on a white disc in a plain blue field. In 1930 the seal was revised and the new version was used on the flag in 1931. The flag has remained unchanged since 1861.

A short history of Virginia (The Old Dominion)
At Jamestown in 1607 the first chartered settlement was made in Virginia. By 1619 tobacco was under cultivation. The governor stepped down in 1775, and in 1781 the British surrendered at Yorktown. On June 25, 1788 Virginia ratified the Constitution and seceded on April 17, 1861 and was re-admitted to the union on January 26, 1870.

Area of Virginia: 40,767 sq. miles
Capital: Richmond
Major Products: corn, hay, peanuts, tobacco and tobacco products, coal
State Motto: Sic semper tyrannis ("Thus always to tyrants")