Pennsylvania State Flag: History, Design, Trivia

DATE FIRST USED   Pennsylvania State Flag June 13, 1907 NICKNAME(S) None DESIGN ELEMENTS Blue background and the state coat of arms. Symbols: The Pennsylvania coat of arms. The central shield, which also appears on the state seal, is divided horizontally into three parts, depicting, from top to bottom, a ship in full sail, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat. These represent commerce, work, and agriculture, all historically important to the state's economy. A cornstalk frames the shield on the left and an olive branch outlines the right, representing the state's Native American past and hopes for a peaceful future, respectively. A bald eagle, representing the state's loyalty to the national government, perches on the shield, which is supported by two horses harnessed to pull a cart, also signifying work. The state's motto, "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence," appears on a ribbon below. Colors: Blue, red, black, yellow, green, brown, white, and light blue. The blue background of the Pennsylvania flag is the same blue as on the national flag, implying allegiance, and standing for justice and loyalty. The other colors make a picture. Proportions: 27:37 Variations: None HISTORY Though Pennsylvania did not have an official flag until 1799, early variations on the current flag were common for years before that. In 1778, the Pennsylvania Executive Council adopted a flag with the coat of arms to identify the province's wharf in Philadelphia. The state's general assembly approved an official flag with the state's coat of arms in 1799, but the law was otherwise not very specific. The background color and the picture elements varied, especially the horses, which were often white rather than black. The Pennsylvania coat of arms was better standardized in 1809, which also made flags more standard. Legislation specifically for the flag came a century later, in 1907. The background color was specified as the blue on the national flag, and other standardizations were introduced. In 2007, legislation to change the flag was proposed, but two years later no vote on the move had taken place. The idea was to add the name "Pennsylvania" to the flag to make it more easily identifiable. A number of ideas for how best to do this were proposed, including several that read "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;" the proposed law would have mandated the name in yellow under the coat of arms. PROPER USES In general, it is recommended that state flags be treated with the same respect as the U.S. national flag, though the national flag takes precedence, flying higher and always appearing to the viewer's right. Pennsylvania law actually stipulates that anyone who deliberately removes or damages a state flag with bad intent is guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor. Laws of this type can often be successfully challenged as a violation of freedom of expression, but remain on the books until a successful challenge is made in court. Flags at the Pennsylvania Capitol normally fly in almost all weather and around the clock. Flying a flag at night in the rain is also allowed in other states, but with the provision that flags must be properly lit all-weather flags. Otherwise, flags are generally hoisted at sunrise, lowered at sunset, and taken in when it starts to rain. LEGENDS, CONTROVERSIES, AND TRIVIA It is not known what color the 1778 flag actually was, just that the executive council clearly specified that the coat of arms should be embroidered on it. Some speculate that it was probably red, because most revolutionary flags in the colony were red. Also, the facings on Pennsylvania soldiers' uniforms were red, and several colonies matched their flags to their soldiers' coat facings. Many U.S. states designed their state flags especially for their infantry units to carry, but not Pennsylvania. During the American Civil War, most Pennsylvania units carried an American flag that had the Pennsylvania coat of arms in the blue canton along with the usual stars. Pennsylvania is one of many U.S. states that use a coat of arms on a blue background as a flag. These flags can be difficult to distinguish and generally rate poorly among vexillologists. In a 2001 survey of North American flags, Pennsylvania ranked 16th from the bottom, sharing a ranking with North Dakota. Proponents of adding the state name to their flag feel it would make this state emblem more recognizable. Many other Pennsylvanians, however, feel strongly that modifying their flag would be a mistake and prefer to keep the longstanding design as it is. -World Trade Press