Connecticut State Flags

Connecticut played a prominent role in the Revolutionary War, serving as the Continental Army's major supplier. Sometimes called the “Arsenal of the Nation,” the state became one of the most industrialized in the nation. Connecticut became the 5th colony to ratify the United States Constitution on January 9, 1788. Over 100 years later, the state had adopted no official description for a state flag. On May 29, 1895 Governor Coffin introduced the first proposal for a state flag to the Connecticut General Assembly.

Celebrate The Constitution State by hanging a Connecticut State Flag outside your office building, community center or school. Display your state pride right in front of the building with an Outdoor USA State flag.

Who Designed the Connecticut State Flag?

The Connecticut state flag was inspired by the state's official seal. The original seal of the Colony of Connecticut had 15 grapevines; it was brought from England in 1639 by Colonel George Fenwick and used as the seal of the Saybrook Colony. The Great Seal of the State of Connecticut has been the coat of arms of the U.S. state of Connecticut since May 1784.

What is the Design of the Connecticut State Flag?

The Connecticut flag displays the Arms of the State on each side. White baroque shield with three grapevines, each bearing three bunches of purple grapes on a field of azure blue. The banner below the shield reads "Qui Transtulit Sustinet", Latin for "He who transplanted still sustains"), Connecticut's state motto.

The flag includes a ribbon with the Connecticut state motto on it: Qui transtulit sustinet (he who is transplanted still sustains). The state seal of Connecticut also uses a similar design featuring Connecticut's armorial bearings.

The Connecticut state flag is rectangular with a central grand baroque shield. The baroque shield features three grapevines. On each of the three grapevines are three bunches of purple grapes. The borders of the shield are decorated with gold and silver. The field is azure blue; the armorial bearing (shield) is argent white and described by law as "rococo design." Rococo refers to style distinguished by fancy curves and elaborate ornamentation.

What does the Connecticut Flag Represent?

The design comes from the seal of Saybrook Colony, designed by George Fenwick when it was established in 1639. The seal was used as an unofficial state flag until 1897. Three grapevines, in order to represent the three oldest settlements (Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford) (or possibly the three separate settlements, Connecticut Colony, Saybrook Colony, and New Haven Colony, which had been absorbed into Connecticut by that time) and rearranged the wording and position of the motto.

Symbolic elements of the flag are represented by the three grape vines and their supports, white oak leaves and acorns, and the Connecticut state motto. The blue color in the background of the flag is a symbol of wealth, truth, perseverance, loyalty and vigilance. The white color represents peace and honesty, while the yellow or golden color symbolizes generosity, wealth, and the sun.

When was the Connecticut Flag Adopted?

The Connecticut General Assembly approved the flag in 1897 after it was introduced by Governor Owen Vincent Coffin in 1895. The basic flag design in use today was first displayed at the time of the American Revolution (1775–83), although the background colour then was red. During the Civil War (1861–65) blue was the standard background shade for regimental colours, and many citizens thought of those military flags as representative of the state. Consequently, a flag with a blue background was later flown over the state capitol during sessions of the legislature. That design was the basis for a recommendation to the legislature that resulted in the adoption of the current flag in June 1897.

However, it was not until 1897 that the flag was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly giving it its official description and dimensions. The length of the approved flag was five feet and six inches while the width was four feet and four inches. The background was to be an deep blue silk. On Aug. 12, 1897, the state legislature voted to adopt the modified DAR flag design as the official standard of the State of Connecticut.

Why are there Grapes on the Connecticut State Flag?

Symbolic elements of the flag are represented by the three grape vines and their supports. The grapevines are said to represent more specifically either early towns or the early individual colonies. Some 19th-century versions of the Connecticut Great Seal show several grapevines. The best answer today is that the grapevines should be taken to represent the three original colonies of Connecticut: (Hartford), Quinnipiac (New-Haven), and Saybrook, though it can also represent the first three settlements of the Connecticut colony proper- Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield, as New Haven and Saybrook were reluctant additions to Connecticut.

Flying the Connecticut State Flag at half mast?

The flag is traditionally at half mast when the American flag is flown at half mast, which may be ordered by the President or by the Governor. According to 2007-R-0624, only the governor of Connecticut may decide to fly the state flag at half mast, though the right is a power of office and not a law. Typically this is done upon the death of a Connecticut resident in the armed forces, but has been done in the past for the funerals of past state governors, state representatives, or for an event considered tragic for the state.