South Carolina State Flags

What is the Design of the South Carolina State Flag?

The state flag has existed in some form since 1775, being based on one of the first Revolutionary War flags. Following its declaration of secession from the Union, the newly independent state of South Carolina considered many designs for its national flag, with the first official draft for a flag being finalized on January 21st being a white ensign with a green palmetto, and a blue canton with a increscent, after a week of debate, they decided on an existing unofficial state flag with an upward facing crescent on a blue field, modifying it by adding a palmetto at the center of the field.

History of the South Carolina State Flag?

In 1775, Colonel William Moultrie was asked by the Revolutionary Council of Safety to design a flag for the South Carolina troops to use during the American Revolutionary War. Moultrie's design had the blue of the militia's uniforms and the crescent. It was first flown at Fort Johnson.

However, there is much debate about the significance of the crescent. In his memoirs, Colonel Wiliam Moultrie writes:

"A little time after we were in possession of Fort Johnson, it was thought necessary to have a flag for the purpose of signals: (as there was no national or state flag at that time) I was desired by the council of safety to have one made, upon which, as the state troops were clothed in blue, and the fort was garrisoned by the first and second regiments, who wore a silver crescent on the front of their caps; I had a large blue flag made with a crescent in the dexter corner, to be in uniform with the troops ..." In the 16-hour battle on June 28, 1776, the flag was shot down, but Sergeant William Jasper ran out into the open, raising it and rallying the troops until it could be mounted again".

This gesture was so heroic, saving Charleston, South Carolina, from conquest for four years, that the flag came to be the symbol of the Revolution, and liberty, in the state and the new nation.

The palmetto was added in 1861, also a reference to Moultrie's defense of Sullivan's Island; the fortress he'd constructed had survived largely because the palmettos, laid over sand walls, were able to withstand British cannon.

When was the State Flag Adopted?

The state flag of South Carolina was adopted on January 28, 1861. The South Carolina legislature adopted a blue flag with a white crescent at the hoist and a white oval and golden palmetto in the center. Two days later the palmetto was changed to white and the oval was omitted. That flag has continued to represent the state ever since.

Symbolism of the South Carolina State Flag?

The crescent symbol represents the silver emblem worn on the caps of South Carolina troops during the revolutionary war, and the background color matches the blue of their uniforms. The flag also features the state tree (sabal palmetto). South Carolina's nickname is the palmetto state, a sabal palmetto tree appears on the state seal, and also on the U.S. Mint's quarter for South Carolina.

Design standards for the South Carolina State Flag?

While the flag invariably includes a white palmetto and crescent design on a blue background, state law does not provide "specifications for the shape, size, design or placement" of the symbols, or the exact color of the background. As a result, flags from different manufacturers may have different appearances.

There are records of white flags with palmetto trees in natural colour, with or without stars, and of red flags with white silhouette palmettos. Many were hand-painted for use by troops, on ships, or on public buildings.

Pledge to the South Carolina State Flag?

I salute the flag of South Carolina

and pledge to the Palmetto State

love, loyalty, and faith.

The official state pledge was adopted in 1966.