Flag of Virginia
Encyclopedia
The flag
of the Commonwealth of Virginia consists of the seal of Virginia
against a blue background. The current version of the flag was adopted at the beginning of the American Civil War
in 1861. The flag may be decorated with a white fringe along the fly.
The Latin motto, "Sic semper tyrannis
," at the bottom of the state seal means "Thus Always to Tyrants." This quote is attributed to Brutus
during the assassination of Julius Caesar
in Rome
. The woman is "Virtus the genius
of the Commonwealth, dressed as an Amazon" (Code of Virginia
§ 1-500) and represents Virginia. The prostrate man represents tyranny; note the fallen crown to the right. The tyrant is holding both a chain and a scourge
.
The General Assembly of Virginia adopted an official salute to the flag of Virginia in 1954. It reads:
In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association
(NAVA) surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial flags. NAVA's members ranked Virginia's flag 54th out of the 72.
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
of the Commonwealth of Virginia consists of the seal of Virginia
Seal of Virginia
The seals of the Commonwealth of Virginia are the official symbols of the United States Commonwealth of Virginia.-History:In May 1776 the Virginia colony declared its independence from Great Britain. On July 1, 1776, a committee of four was appointed to make a proper seal for the Commonwealth of...
against a blue background. The current version of the flag was adopted at the beginning of 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...
in 1861. The flag may be decorated with a white fringe along the fly.
The Latin motto, "Sic semper tyrannis
Sic semper tyrannis
Sic semper tyrannis is a Latin phrase meaning "thus always to tyrants." It is sometimes mistranslated as "down with the tyrant." The phrase is said to have originated with Marcus Junius Brutus during the assassination of Julius Caesar....
," at the bottom of the state seal means "Thus Always to Tyrants." This quote is attributed to Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus , often referred to as Brutus, was a politician of the late Roman Republic. After being adopted by his uncle he used the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, but eventually returned to using his original name...
during the assassination of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. The woman is "Virtus the genius
Genius (mythology)
In ancient Roman religion, the genius was the individual instance of a general divine nature that is present in every individual person, place or thing.-Nature of the genius:...
of the Commonwealth, dressed as an Amazon" (Code of Virginia
Code of Virginia
The Code of Virginia is the statutory law of the U.S. state of Virginia, and consists of the codified legislation of the Virginia General Assembly. The 1950 Code of Virginia is the revision currently in force...
§ 1-500) and represents Virginia. The prostrate man represents tyranny; note the fallen crown to the right. The tyrant is holding both a chain and a scourge
Scourge
A scourge is a whip or lash, especially a multi-thong type used to inflict severe corporal punishment or self-mortification on the back.-Description:...
.
The General Assembly of Virginia adopted an official salute to the flag of Virginia in 1954. It reads:
In 2001, 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...
(NAVA) surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial flags. NAVA's members ranked Virginia's flag 54th out of the 72.
See also
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- Symbols of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia