Connecticut State Flag

What Is the Connecticut State Flag?

The Connecticut state flag is the official banner representing Connecticut. An azure blue field covers the entire flag. The state coat of arms sits centered on the field.

The coat of arms shows a white baroque shield containing three grapevines. Each vine bears three bunches of purple grapes. Oak leaves and acorns border the shield in gold and silver. A white streamer below carries the Latin motto Qui Transtulit Sustinet.

Government buildings, schools, and public locations across Connecticut fly this flag.

Meaning of the Connecticut State Flag

The Connecticut state flag represents the state's colonial history and settlements. The design comes from the seal of Saybrook Colony, created in 1639.

The three grapevines represent either the three oldest settlements of Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford, or the three colonies that merged to form Connecticut: Connecticut Colony, Saybrook Colony, and New Haven Colony. Grapevines symbolized transplantation, peace, and friendship in colonial imagery.

The motto Qui Transtulit Sustinet means He Who Transplanted Still Sustains in Latin. It references Psalm 80 from the Bible: Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt. The phrase honors the colonists who transplanted themselves from England and were sustained by divine providence.

History of the Connecticut State Flag

Connecticut used various unofficial flags before 1897. Regimental flags during the American Revolution displayed the state arms on fields of different colors. During the Civil War, blue became the standard background for military colors. Citizens saw these blue military flags as representing the state.

The Anna Warner Bailey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution from Groton requested an official state flag in 1895. They needed a flag to decorate their new meeting space. Governor O. Vincent Coffin introduced the first proposal on May 29, 1895. The General Assembly appointed a special committee that same day.

The DAR submitted several flag designs to the legislature. The Merriam Post of the Grand Army of the Republic argued for keeping the traditional blue background. James J. Goodwin of the Connecticut Society of Colonial Wars submitted his own design. After debate, the legislature compromised on a design with azure blue and the DAR's rococo-style shield.

The General Assembly adopted the flag in 1897. It specified dimensions of five feet six inches in length and four feet four inches in width. The law allowed the Anna Warner Bailey chapter to present the first flag under the new law. The coat of arms itself was not officially standardized until March 24, 1931.

Symbols of the Connecticut State Flag

Connecticut State Flag Colors

The Connecticut state flag uses seven colors: azure blue, white, gold, silver, brown, green, and purple. Connecticut statute mentions the colors but does not provide exact values.

In 1956, the Office of the Secretary of State and the State Purchasing Division developed uniform color standards. Azure blue colors the field and lettering. White colors the shield and streamer. Gold borders the inner shield and colors acorns. Silver borders the outer shield. Brown colors the grapevine plants. Green colors the leaves. Purple colors the grapes.

Connecticut State Flag Facts

• Connecticut adopted its state flag in 1897
• The Anna Warner Bailey Chapter of the DAR initiated the flag campaign
• The coat of arms was officially standardized in 1931
• The original Saybrook Colony seal from 1639 showed 15 grapevines
• The flag dimensions are 5 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 4 inches
• The flag ranked 50th in a 2001 North American vexillological survey