Download Virginia flag, 1,200 pixels wide
| Current design adopted | April 30, 1861 |
|---|---|
| State | Virginia |
| Capital | Richmond |
What the Virginia flag shows
A deep blue field holds a white circle bearing the front of the Commonwealth's great seal. It shows Virtus, the Roman goddess of virtue and the Commonwealth's guiding spirit, holding a spear and a sheathed sword and standing over the prostrate figure of Tyranny, whose crown has fallen beside him. 'Virginia' appears above the figures and the motto 'Sic Semper Tyrannis' ('Thus always to tyrants') below, and the law permits a white fringe on the outer edge.
History of the Virginia flag
The seal, adopted in 1776, had already appeared on flags before the Virginia Convention of 1861 made its front design on deep blue the official flag by ordinance. Encyclopedia Virginia notes that the General Assembly itself never formally approved a flag design.
More about Virginia
See who represents the state in the Virginia congressional delegation, or browse all 50 state flags.
