Flag of South Carolina
Encyclopedia
The flag of the state of South Carolina dates back to 1765 when opponents of the Stamp Act
marched in protest behind a blue flag bearing three white crescents. In 1775 Colonel William Moultrie
was asked by the Revolutionary Council of Safety to design a flag for the South Carolina troops to use during the American Revolutionary War
. Moultrie's design had the blue of the militia's uniforms and the crescent from the emblem on their caps. The palmetto tree
was added in 1861 to honor Moultrie's heroic defense of the palmetto log fort on Sullivan's Island
against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776. South Carolina's flag was ranked as the 10th best designed state or provincial flag in North America by the North American Vexillological Association
in 2001. A number of people have pointed out the its resemblance to Arab or Muslim flags, due to its portrayal of a crescent moon and a palm tree, both common in Arab symbolism.
After considering many designs for the Republic of South Carolina
flag, it was decided that the existing State flag with an upward facing crescent and blue background could be modified for a National flag. On January 26, 1861, the South Carolina General Assembly
adopted a new flag by adding a golden palmetto tree encircled with a white background. However, this flag has become known as the "2-day flag" because the golden palmetto tree was changed on January 28 to a simple white palmetto tree on the blue background. Less than three months later, a variation of the palmetto flag unfurled over Fort Sumter on April 14, 1861, the day it was surrendered to Confederate General Beauregard, making it likely the first Confederate flag flown over captured United States' territory. The flag consisted of a palmetto tree on an entirely white background with a red star in the upper left quadrant, and is commonly known as "The Palmetto Guard Flag"
The palmetto tree represents the palmetto logs used to construct the fort on Sullivan's Island. These logs are soft, so the cannonballs that the British fleet fired on the fort did not shatter them. On June 28, 1776, Colonel William Moultrie and his troops were able to successfully defend Charleston
using this fort, and the fort would be named Fort Moultrie in honor of this defense.
The top left corner bears a crescent shape. The symbolism of this has long been a matter of controversy - suggestions have included a crescent moon and a gorget
.
As for the crescent, it is known to have been worn on the caps of South Carolina's revolutionary soldiers, and it is likely according to many experts that it is a gorget, not a moon as is commonly thought. However, its significance is based more on legend than on documented facts. One hypothesis is that it stems from the crescent as the cadence
mark of a second son. It is true that many of the early colonists were second (and third, etc.) sons who had no inheritance in England and came to America to find their fortunes. Their coats of arms would have crescents to distinguish themselves from the first sons; and thus, perhaps the crescent was adopted as a symbol for the colony. An alternative hypothesis is that the crescent may be derived from the crescent on the coat of arms of the Bull family, which was prominent in the early days of the colony and produced one of Charleston's more illustrious Royal Governors.
The Sovereignty flag was never recognized as an official flag in South Carolina. However, it was flown all over the Union over businesses and universities during the American Civil War
as a show of support for the South. There are also claims that it was flown for a short period of time in South Carolina after its secession on December 20, 1860. Another significant flag, not pictured here is the "South Carolina Succession Flag", the day after South Carolina seceded a red flag, with two tails, a large white star and an upside down crescent moon at the top by the flag staff was raised over the Charleston Custom House. It then spread to other cities as a symbol of secession.
, Clemson, the College of Charleston, and The Citadel
) to display the state flag in their school colors.
Stamp Act 1765
The Stamp Act 1765 was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament specifically on the colonies of British America. The act required that many printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper produced in London, carrying an embossed revenue stamp...
marched in protest behind a blue flag bearing three white crescents. In 1775 Colonel William Moultrie
William Moultrie
William Moultrie was a general from South Carolina in the American Revolutionary War.He was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He fought in the Anglo-Cherokee War and served in the colonial assembly before the advent of the American Revolution....
was asked by the Revolutionary Council of Safety to design a flag for the South Carolina troops to use during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Moultrie's design had the blue of the militia's uniforms and the crescent from the emblem on their caps. The palmetto tree
Sabal palmetto
Sabal palmetto, also known as cabbage palm, palmetto, cabbage palmetto, palmetto palm, blue palmetto, Carolina palmetto, common palmetto, swamp cabbage and sabal palm, is one of 15 species of palmetto palm . It is native to the southeastern United States, Cuba, and the Bahamas...
was added in 1861 to honor Moultrie's heroic defense of the palmetto log fort on Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
Sullivan's Island is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, on a similarly named island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. The population was 1,911 at the 2000 census. It is also the site of a major battle of the American Revolution at Fort Sullivan on June 28, 1776. As...
against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776. South Carolina's flag was ranked as the 10th best designed state or provincial flag in North America by the North American Vexillological Association
North American Vexillological Association
The North American Vexillological Association is a membership organization devoted to "vexillology as the scientific study of flags." Flag researchers, designers, collectors, activists, merchants, and other enthusiasts from the United States and Canada meet annually at NAVA meetings in order to...
in 2001. A number of people have pointed out the its resemblance to Arab or Muslim flags, due to its portrayal of a crescent moon and a palm tree, both common in Arab symbolism.
History
Republic of South Carolina
The Republic of South Carolina was declared when the State of South Carolina declared its secession from the United States on December 20, 1860. On February 8, 1861, South Carolina joined other Southern states to form the Confederate States of America...
flag, it was decided that the existing State flag with an upward facing crescent and blue background could be modified for a National flag. On January 26, 1861, the South Carolina General Assembly
South Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
adopted a new flag by adding a golden palmetto tree encircled with a white background. However, this flag has become known as the "2-day flag" because the golden palmetto tree was changed on January 28 to a simple white palmetto tree on the blue background. Less than three months later, a variation of the palmetto flag unfurled over Fort Sumter on April 14, 1861, the day it was surrendered to Confederate General Beauregard, making it likely the first Confederate flag flown over captured United States' territory. The flag consisted of a palmetto tree on an entirely white background with a red star in the upper left quadrant, and is commonly known as "The Palmetto Guard Flag"
The palmetto tree represents the palmetto logs used to construct the fort on Sullivan's Island. These logs are soft, so the cannonballs that the British fleet fired on the fort did not shatter them. On June 28, 1776, Colonel William Moultrie and his troops were able to successfully defend Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
using this fort, and the fort would be named Fort Moultrie in honor of this defense.
The top left corner bears a crescent shape. The symbolism of this has long been a matter of controversy - suggestions have included a crescent moon and a gorget
Gorget
A gorget originally was a steel or leather collar designed to protect the throat. It was a feature of older types of armour and intended to protect against swords and other non-projectile weapons...
.
As for the crescent, it is known to have been worn on the caps of South Carolina's revolutionary soldiers, and it is likely according to many experts that it is a gorget, not a moon as is commonly thought. However, its significance is based more on legend than on documented facts. One hypothesis is that it stems from the crescent as the cadence
Cadency
In heraldry, cadency is any systematic way of distinguishing similar coats of arms belonging to members of the same family. Cadency is necessary in heraldic systems in which a given design may be owned by only one person at once...
mark of a second son. It is true that many of the early colonists were second (and third, etc.) sons who had no inheritance in England and came to America to find their fortunes. Their coats of arms would have crescents to distinguish themselves from the first sons; and thus, perhaps the crescent was adopted as a symbol for the colony. An alternative hypothesis is that the crescent may be derived from the crescent on the coat of arms of the Bull family, which was prominent in the early days of the colony and produced one of Charleston's more illustrious Royal Governors.
The Sovereignty flag was never recognized as an official flag in South Carolina. However, it was flown all over the Union over businesses and universities during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
as a show of support for the South. There are also claims that it was flown for a short period of time in South Carolina after its secession on December 20, 1860. Another significant flag, not pictured here is the "South Carolina Succession Flag", the day after South Carolina seceded a red flag, with two tails, a large white star and an upside down crescent moon at the top by the flag staff was raised over the Charleston Custom House. It then spread to other cities as a symbol of secession.
Commercial use
Shirts, belts, shoes, wallets, and other accessories featuring the flag's palmetto tree and crescent are popular throughout South Carolina and other southeastern states as a symbol of the state's long-standing heritage. It is also customary for alumni and supporters of the state's main universities (the University of South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, Clemson, the College of Charleston, and The Citadel
The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
) to display the state flag in their school colors.
See also
- State of South Carolina
- Symbols of the State of South Carolina
- Great Seal of the State of South Carolina