Virginia State Flag
Virginia's flag shows Virtus — a Roman goddess — standing over a fallen tyrant, with the motto 'Sic semper tyrannis' (Thus always to tyrants). The only U.S. state flag depicting nudity. Adopted 1861.
Virginia State Flag
Official State Flag of Virginia
- Adopted
- 1861
- Standardized
- 1950
- Status
- Official flag
How the Virginia State Flag Is Designed
The Virginia state flag is the official banner of the Commonwealth of Virginia. A deep blue rectangular field forms the background. The state seal sits in a white circle at the center. The design may include white fringe along the outer edge when displayed indoors.
The General Assembly readopted the flag on March 28, 1912. Virginia standardized the seal design on February 1, 1950. The flag shows the same imagery on both sides.
What the Virginia Flag Communicates
The Virginia state flag meaning comes from classical Roman imagery representing freedom from tyranny. The seal shows Virginia's victory over British rule during the American Revolution.
Virtus represents the Roman virtue of courage and moral excellence. She stands victorious with her weapons at rest. Tyranny lies defeated beneath her foot, symbolizing Virginia's break from monarchical control. His broken chain and whip show freedom from British trade restrictions and punitive acts, a message aligned with Virginia's state motto.
Virginia Flag History and Adoption
Virginia created its first state flag in 1833 during the Nullification Crisis. Governor John Floyd raised the flag on February 22 in Richmond. The flag displayed at Bellona Arsenal and other public buildings. Floyd suggested flying it during special events instead of the U.S. flag. This caused resentment among some House of Delegates members.
Virginia officially adopted a state flag on April 30, 1861. This occurred nearly two weeks after the state seceded from the Union. The design featured the state seal on a blue field.
The General Assembly readopted the flag on March 28, 1912. By this time, many variants of the seal had appeared. Virginia standardized the seal design in 1930 to eliminate confusion. The state updated the flag again on February 1, 1950 when the Art Commission defined official colors for the seal, reinforcing the same civic identity carried by the Old Dominion nickname.
Key Symbols on the Virginia Flag
Virginia State Flag Virtus
A female figure representing Virtus dominates the seal. Virtus personifies the Roman concept of virtue, courage, and moral excellence. She wears Amazon dress with an exposed breast in the classical style.
Virtus rests on a spear in her right hand. The spear points downward to the ground. She holds a sheathed sword in her left hand. The sword points upward. These weapons show the battle is already won.
Virginia State Flag Tyranny
A fallen male figure representing Tyranny lies beneath Virtus. He symbolizes Great Britain's defeat. His prostrate position shows Virginia's victory over monarchical rule.
Tyranny wears a purple robe. This references Julius Caesar and ancient Roman kings. A broken chain lies in his left hand. The chain represents Virginia's freedom from British restrictions on colonial trade and westward expansion. A useless whip rests in his right hand. The whip signifies relief from punitive British acts like the Intolerable Acts.
Virginia State Flag Crown
A fallen royal crown sits on the ground next to Tyranny. The crown symbolizes Virginia's release from British monarchical control. It represents the end of royal authority over the commonwealth.
Virginia is one of only three U.S. states with a crown on its flag or seal. Maryland and New York are the others.
Virginia State Flag Motto
The motto Sic semper tyrannis appears below the figures. The Latin phrase means Thus always to tyrants in English. It references the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus.
The motto declares Virginia's opposition to tyrannical rule. It became the official state motto on the seal designed in 1776.
Virginia State Flag Colors
The Virginia state flag uses a deep blue field with a white circle. The seal contains multiple colors including purple, gold, green, and flesh tones that connect visually to natural symbols like Virginia's dogwood tree.
Virginia State Flag Facts
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