The Virginia state flag was adopted in 1861 during the Civil War and features the state coat of arms and Virginia creeper. The Commonwealth seal is also included, with a woman representing virtue. Minor changes have been made over time, including the addition of a white fringe and a Virginia creeper wreath.
The history of the Virginia state flag is not as old as the flag of the United States, as the state did not first have an official flag until 1861. The coat of arms of Virginia and the Virginia creeper appear on the flag. Both are significant symbols in the state. There have been minor changes to the flag since its inception. Most of the changes are to image specs, adding fringes, and color standards.
During the Civil War, Virginia was one of 11 states that seceded from the union. It was during this time, in 1861, that a flag was adopted as the official flag of Virginia. A number of flags had flown throughout the state since 1830, but they were not considered official.
The current state flag of Virginia is very similar to the original flag chosen during the Civil War. The state coat of arms is in the center of a blue background, within a white circle. This important symbol is embroidered or painted on both sides of the flag.
The Commonwealth seal is also found on the state flag of Virginia. At the center of the coat of arms is a woman representing virtue, called Virtus. She is dressed as a goddess, holding a sword and spear, standing over a representation of tyranny. The word Virginia is above her head and an ornamental crown surrounds the crest. This seal found on the flag was created as a symbol of Virginia in 1776.
The Virginia state flag was flown alongside the Confederate flag during the Civil War by all Virginia regiments. The flags that were used in the Civil War were all sewn by George Mumford’s daughters. George Mumford was Virginia’s secretary of state at the time.
Some minor changes have been made to the flag over time. A white fringe has been incorporated onto the flag pole. Fly refers to the length of the flag from the flagpole or attachment to the farthest point of the flag.
The ornamental wreath surrounding the seal was changed in 1931 to be a Virginia creeper wreath. The leaves are green and the flowers are red. In 1949, the colors used in the flag were chosen so that all flags produced would be exactly the same. The Governor of Virginia has regulated the size and dimensions of the flag since 1966.
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