New York State Flags

The New York state flag features design elements that are almost as old as the United States. The symbolic value of the design has been defined in much greater detail than many other state flags, which is likely a result of the design's age. The original design featured the same coat of arms as the modern New York state flag, but it displayed that coat of arms on a buff field rather than a blue field.

The design has not been changed since 1901, which makes the current New York flag one of the oldest in the country even though it is not the state's first design.

What is the Design of the New York State Flag?

The flag of New York is the coat of arms on a solid blue background and the state seal of New York is the coat of arms surrounded by the words "The Great Seal of the State of New York." The coat of arms of the state flag was adopted in 1778 and the present flag is a modern version of a Revolutionary War flag.

George Washington had ordered that troops from New York and New Jersey serving in the Continental Army wear buff facings. However, the buff flag was unpopular, since the actual and more familiar custom at the time was for military flags to be blue with the coat of arms, as they had been for New York troops during and before the Civil War. Thus, the legislature changed the field from buff to blue by a law enacted on April 2, 1901.

Who Designed the New York State Flag?

Though the flag designers are not documented, the coat of arms that features on the flag was designed by John Jay, John Sloss Hobart, and Gouverneur Morris.

When was the New York State Flag Adopted?

The state flag was adopted in 1901.

What is the Coat of Arms on the New York State Flag?

The state was granted independence and the maiden constitution written. The independence was followed by designing the first coat of arms in 1788. After it was formally adopted, it appears as a component of the state's flag and seal.

The coat of arms features a center shield that displays a masted ship and a sloop on the Hudson River river, bordered by a grassy shore and a mountain range in the background with the sun rising behind it. A banner below shows New York's state motto ("Excelsior," Latin for "ever upward"). The motto, prescribed as being in black letters on a white scroll.

The coat of arms also depicts two tall women on either side of the shield. One is “the ancient Roman goddess of justice” (Lady Liberty) with her hair pleated and added pearls while one of her feet stepping on a beautiful crown. On the other hand “the goddess of justice” (Justice) is in orange dress holding an ancient weigh scale with a piece of cloth around her eyes. Liberty and Justice both support the shield, and an American bald eagle spreads its wings above on a world globe.

The pattern of the coat of arms was officially specified in 1882, but it is essentially the design first adopted during the Revolution.

What does the Coat of Arms of the New York State Symbolize?

The landscape on the shield is said to represent the sun rising behind Mount Beacon over the Hudson River. The sun symbol may have been selected in honor of the duke of York, who ruled the English colony after 1664. (The sun was the badge of the dukes of York.) A representation of the Hudson River with the sun rising above it also shows two ships sailing near the shore. The scene emphasizes the importance of the river and the commerce and trade that it carried in the history of New York.

Personifications of Liberty and Justice, which represent the two virtues which the government strives to embody. The sword symbolizes punishment for evil actions. The blindfold on Justice shows that the state will not take sides but will be fair in making any major decision. "Liberty," holding a pole topped with the Phrygian cap or the Liberty cap. A crown is at her left foot, put there to symbolize the failed control of the British Monarchy.

The globe represents the combination of the new and old worlds in America, while the eagle represents the state's future. The eagle faces right, which is a good omen; it also represents boldness, protection, and dominance. "Excelsior (Ever Upward)," the state motto, signifies that the state and its people reach for ever higher goals.