New Jersey State Flag

What Is the New Jersey State Flag?

The New Jersey state flag is the official banner representing New Jersey. A buff-colored field covers the background. The state coat of arms appears in the center showing two women supporting a shield.

The shield displays three plows. A horse head sits above in a helmet. Two ribbons curve below with the motto Liberty and Prosperity and the date 1776. Government buildings and schools across New Jersey fly this flag.

Meaning of the New Jersey State Flag

The flag represents New Jersey's agricultural heritage and commitment to freedom. The three plows symbolize agriculture as the foundation of New Jersey's early economy. Each plow represents one of the state's main agricultural regions.

Liberty holds a pole with a liberty cap. She represents freedom and independence. Ceres holds a cornucopia filled with harvest. She represents abundance and prosperity through agriculture.

The buff color honors George Washington and New Jersey troops. Continental soldiers from New Jersey wore buff-colored uniforms during the Revolution. The date 1776 marks the Declaration of Independence.

History of the New Jersey State Flag

New Jersey adopted its state flag in 1896. The legislature approved a design featuring the state coat of arms on buff. The coat of arms itself dated to 1777 when New Jersey created it during the Revolutionary War.

The 1896 law formalized what had been unofficial practice for decades. New Jersey militia units had carried buff-colored flags with the coat of arms since the early 1800s. No single designer is credited. The flag emerged from military tradition.

The buff color came from General George Washington's choice for New Jersey Continental Line uniforms. Washington selected buff and blue as his army's colors. New Jersey regiments wore buff facings on their blue coats. The state preserved this color connection when adopting the flag.

Symbols of the New Jersey State Flag

New Jersey Coat of Arms

The coat of arms dominates the flag's center. New Jersey adopted this design in 1777. A shield shows three plows arranged vertically. The plows represent New Jersey's agricultural economy and three main farming regions.

A forward-facing horse head sits in a helmet above the shield. This symbolizes speed and strength. The horse head symbolizes strength, speed, and independence, qualities associated with New Jersey.

Two female figures serve as supporters. Liberty stands on the left holding a pole with a liberty cap. The cap symbolizes freedom from tyranny. Ceres stands on the right holding a cornucopia overflowing with produce. She represents agricultural abundance and prosperity.

Motto Ribbons

Two ribbons curve below the shield. The motto Liberty and Prosperity appears on the top ribbon. New Jersey adopted this motto in 1777. It emphasizes the state's values of freedom and economic success.

The date 1776 appears on the lower ribbon. This marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence. New Jersey was one of the thirteen original colonies that declared independence that year.

Buff Field

Buff covers the entire background. This yellowish-brown color honors New Jersey Continental Line soldiers. They wore buff-colored uniform facings during the Revolutionary War.

George Washington chose buff and blue as Continental Army colors. New Jersey preserved this military connection. Buff makes New Jersey's flag distinctive among state flags that typically use blue.

New Jersey State Flag Colors

The flag uses buff, blue, gold, green, brown, and white. Buff forms the field. Blue appears in Liberty's clothing and details. Gold shows in Ceres' cornucopia. Green depicts vegetation. Brown colors the plows. White highlights the ribbons and clothing.

New Jersey State Flag Facts

• New Jersey adopted its state flag in 1896
• The state coat of arms dates to 1777
• The buff color honors Continental Army uniforms
• Three plows represent New Jersey's agricultural regions
• Liberty and Ceres serve as supporters on the coat of arms
• The date 1776 appears on the lower ribbon