Flag and coat of arms of Pennsylvania

Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Versions
The coat of arms is often used in the form of a "seal"
The Coat of Arms as it appears on the obverse of the Great Seal.
Details
Armiger	Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Adopted	1778
Crest	Bald Eagle
Torse	Gold and White
Supporters	Horses
Motto	Virtue, Liberty, and Independence

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Use	Civil and state flag
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	April 29, 1900
Design	Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania on a blue field
Variant flag of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Name	Standard of the Governor of Pennsylvania
Design	Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania on a white field, with two banners above and below

The coat of arms of Pennsylvania is an official emblem of the state, alongside the seal and state flag, and was adopted in 1778.^[1] The flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania consists of a blue field on which the state coat of arms is embroidered. The Pennsylvania coat of arms features a shield crested by an American bald eagle, flanked by horses, and adorned with symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths - a ship carrying state commerce to all parts of the world; a clay-red plough (a symbol of the Pennsylvania's rich natural resources); and three golden sheaves of wheat, representing fertile fields and Pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action. An olive branch and cornstalk cross limbs beneath - symbols of peace and prosperity. The state motto ("Virtue Liberty and Independendence") appears festooned below.

The coat of arms is surrounded by draft horses on both sides, and a bald eagle, which represents Pennsylvania's loyalty to the United States, above.^[2] The state coat of arms includes a ship under full sail, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat indicating the significance of commerce, labor, perseverance and agriculture to the state. Surrounding the coat of arms is a stalk of Indian corn on the left and an olive branch on the right. These represent the state's recognition of its past and its hope for the future. The scroll below the coat of arms reads: "Virtue, Liberty and Independence," which is the state's motto.^[3]

[edit] Flag

The flag as it appears in an 1819 painting

Originally authorized by the state in 1799, the current design was enacted by law in 1907.^[4] In the summer of 2007, a bill was introduced to modify the state flag to add the name of the state. The bill has not been adopted by the legislature.

In the summer of 2007, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to change the flag with the addition of "Pennsylvania" on the bottom in golden letters.^[5] The legislation was proposed by State Representative Tim Solobay.^[6] The Senate has not yet taken action on the bill.

[edit] Flag of the Governor

The flag of the Governor of Pennsylvania contains the state coat of arms on a field of white. Above the coat of arms, the flag displays a red ribbon with "The Governor" written in gold sans serif lettering. Below the coat of arms, the flag displays another red ribbon with "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in gold lettering.

[edit] NAVA Ranking

In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial flags. The survey ranked Pennsylvania's flag 57th out of the 72.^[7]

[edit] Use

Besides being used by itself, the coat of arms is used on many governmental seals of the state, as well as the flag of the Governor.

• 

  Flag of the Governor of Pennsylvania

• 

  Seal of the Governor of Pennsylvania

• 

  Seal of the Secretary of the Commonwealth

• 

  Seal of the Auditor General of Pennsylvania

• 

  Seal of the Inspector General of Pennsylvania

• 

  Seal of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

• 

  Seal of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania

• 

  Seal of the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline

• 

  Seal of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

[edit] See also

• Coats of arms of the U.S. states

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Display of the state flag

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