Virginia State Flag

The Virginia state flag is the official banner of the Commonwealth of Virginia. A deep blue rectangular field forms the background. The state seal sits in a white circle at the center. The design may include white fringe along the outer edge when displayed indoors.

The General Assembly readopted the flag on March 28, 1912. Virginia standardized the seal design on February 1, 1950. The flag shows the same imagery on both sides.

The Virginia state flag meaning comes from classical Roman imagery representing freedom from tyranny. The seal shows Virginia's victory over British rule during the American Revolution.

Virtus represents the Roman virtue of courage and moral excellence. She stands victorious with her weapons at rest. Tyranny lies defeated beneath her foot, symbolizing Virginia's break from monarchical control. His broken chain and whip show freedom from British trade restrictions and punitive acts, a message aligned with Virginia's state motto.

Virginia created its first state flag in 1833 during the Nullification Crisis. Governor John Floyd raised the flag on February 22 in Richmond. The flag displayed at Bellona Arsenal and other public buildings. Floyd suggested flying it during special events instead of the U.S. flag. This caused resentment among some House of Delegates members.

Virginia officially adopted a state flag on April 30, 1861. This occurred nearly two weeks after the state seceded from the Union. The design featured the state seal on a blue field.

The General Assembly readopted the flag on March 28, 1912. By this time, many variants of the seal had appeared. Virginia standardized the seal design in 1930 to eliminate confusion. The state updated the flag again on February 1, 1950 when the Art Commission defined official colors for the seal, reinforcing the same civic identity carried by the Old Dominion nickname.

The Virginia state flag uses a deep blue field with a white circle. The seal contains multiple colors including purple, gold, green, and flesh tones that connect visually to natural symbols like Virginia's dogwood tree.