New Jersey State Flags

As one of the 13 original states, the New Jersey State flag can trace its history back to the Revolutionary War. On February 28, 1780, the Continental War Officers directed that each regiment should carry two flags; one that of the United States and the other a state flag that should be the color of the Uniform facing and the New Jersey State Flag has carried that color with it for over 200 years. In 1896, New Jersey made this their official state flag.

What is the Design of the New Jersey State Flag?

The flag of the state of New Jersey includes the coat of arms of the state on a buff-colored background. It is the only flag of the 50 state flags to have a background of buff, although frequently this is incorrectly shown as yellow. The colour is based on the facings of uniforms worn by New Jersey regiments during the Revolutionary War (1775–83).

The state flag has, in its center, the New Jersey coat of arms that contains:

A shield with three plows, representative of New Jersey's agricultural tradition.

A forward-facing helmet.

A horse's head as the crest of the helmet.

Female figues - Liberty and Ceres.

The state motto.

The year of statehood for New Jersey.

The supporting female figures are Liberty and Ceres (Roman goddess of grain - a symbol of abundance). Liberty carries the liberty cap on her staff and Ceres holds a cornucopia filled with harvested produce; they are supported by a banner that reads "Liberty and Prosperity" (New Jersey's state motto). The year of statehood, 1776, is also inscribed in the same ribbon as the state motto.

Who Designed the Coat of Arms Represented in the New Jersey State Flag?

It was originally designed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere in 1777 and was modified slightly in 1928.

What do the Colors mean on the New Jersey State Flag?

General Washington, the commander in chief of the Continental Army, presumably selected these colors for historic reasons; New York and New Jersey were both originally settled by the Dutch, and dark blue (Jersey blue) and buff were Holland's (the Netherlands) insignia.

What does the New Jersey State Flag Symbolize?

The horse head and the helmet are centered at the top - the helmet faces forward, indicating New Jersey is a sovereign state which governs itself and the horse is the state animal. The shield contains three plows, recognizing the agricultural heritage of the "Garden State". Liberty goddess, on the left, holds a staff with a liberty cap, representing freedom. Goddess Ceres, on the right, is the goddess of grain, holding a symbol of abundance (cornucopia) filled with fruit and vegetables that are grown in New Jersey. The Scroll is at the feet of the goddesses quoting the state motto “LIBERTY AND PROSPERITY” and includes the date 1776, the year that New Jersey became a state.

When was the New Jersey State Flag Adopted?

In 1776, New Jersey became a state, but a state flag was adopted on March 26, 1896. The specific shades to be used on the flag were defined in 1965, but the new definition served to standardize all of the flags that were in use rather than to make any changes to the New Jersey state flag.

Displaying of New Jersey State Flag?

The State flag may be displayed on all occasions and in such manner as it shall be appropriate and lawful to display the flag of the United States.

The state flag shall be the headquarters flag for the governor as commander in chief, but shall not supersede distinctive flags which are or may be prescribed for different arms of military or naval service of this state.