Flag and coat of arms of Pennsylvania facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag |
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| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | June 13, 1907 |
| Design | Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania on a blue field |
Variant flag of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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| Name | Standard of the Governor of Pennsylvania |
| Design | Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania on a white field, with two banners above and below |
| Coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | |
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| Versions | |
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Historical coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)
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The coat of arms is often used in the form of a "seal"
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The coat of arms as it appears on the obverse of the Great Seal.
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| Armiger | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Adopted | 1778 |
| Crest | Bald eagle |
| Torse | Gold and White |
| Blazon | Tierced per fess azure, Or, and vert; in chief a ship at sea proper; in fess a plough proper; in base three sheaves of wheat proper |
| Supporters | Horses |
| Motto | Virtue, Liberty, and Independence |
The coat of arms of Pennsylvania and the flag of Pennsylvania are important symbols of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They represent the state's history, values, and people. The coat of arms was officially adopted in 1778. The state flag shows this coat of arms on a blue background.
Contents
The Pennsylvania State Flag
The flag of Pennsylvania is a blue flag with the state's coat of arms in the center. It was first allowed by the state in 1799. The design we see today became official by law in 1907.
In 2005, there was a proposal to change the flag. A bill was introduced to add the word "Pennsylvania" in gold letters at the bottom. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted yes for this change. However, the Senate has not yet made a decision on this bill.
Flag of the Governor
The Governor of Pennsylvania has their own special flag. This flag is white and also features the state's coat of arms.
Above the coat of arms, there is a red ribbon. It has the words "The Governor" written in gold letters. Below the coat of arms, another red ribbon says "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in gold.
Flag Design Ranking
In 2001, a group called the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) did a survey. Vexillology is the study of flags. They asked their members to rank the designs of 72 flags. These flags included those from U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canadian provinces.
Pennsylvania's flag was ranked 57th out of the 72 flags.
The Pennsylvania Coat of Arms
The coat of arms is an official symbol of Pennsylvania. It tells a story about the state's past and its values. It was adopted in 1778, during the American Revolutionary War.
What the Coat of Arms Shows
The main part of the coat of arms is a shield. This shield has three important pictures on it:
- A ship sailing on the sea. This represents trade and how Pennsylvania was settled.
- A plough in the middle. This stands for farming and hard work.
- Three sheaves of wheat at the bottom. These also represent farming and the rich land of Pennsylvania.
Above the shield, there is a Bald eagle. The bald eagle is a symbol of America's freedom and strength. On each side of the shield, there is a horse. These horses support the shield and represent strength and speed.
Below the shield, a ribbon displays the state motto. The motto is Virtue, Liberty, and Independence. These words highlight the important values of Pennsylvania.
How the Coat of Arms is Used
The coat of arms is used in many official ways. It is not only seen by itself but also on many government seals. These seals are used by different state offices and courts. For example, it appears on the flag of the Governor.
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Flag of the Governor of Pennsylvania
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Seal of the Governor of Pennsylvania
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Seal of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
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Seal of the Auditor General of Pennsylvania
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Seal of the Inspector General of Pennsylvania
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Seal of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
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Seal of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania
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Seal of the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline
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Seal of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
