Flag and coat of arms of Pennsylvania

Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Versions

Historical coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)

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 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 Independence", appears festooned below. Atop the coat of arms is a bald eagle, representing Pennsylvania's loyalty to the United States.[2][3]

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 2005, a bill was introduced to the state legislature to add "Pennsylvania" to the bottom of the flag in golden letters. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted in favor of the change.[5] The legislation was proposed by State Representative Tim Solobay.[6] The Senate has not yet taken action on the bill.

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.

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]

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Pennsylvania Government". State Government. State Symbols USA. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
  2. ↑ "World Flags 101 - Pennsylvania Flags". Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  3. ↑ "Symbols of Pennsylvania". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved 2014-12-16.
  4. ↑ "Status of the Pennsylvania Flag". 2007-09-12. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  5. ↑ "House passes Solobay bill adding 'Pennsylvania' to state flag". Office of State Rep. Tim Solobay. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  6. ↑ "Solobay seeks to add 'Pennsylvania' to state flag". Office of State Rep. Tim Solobay. August 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  7. ↑ "2001 State/Provincial Flag Survey - NAVA.org" (PDF). nava.org.

External links

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