Pennsylvania State Flag History Today

By Sam Nilson


Rich in historic lore, Pennsylvania territory was disputed in the early 1600s among the Dutch, the Swedes, and the English. England acquired the region in 1664 with the capture of New York, and in 1681 Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn, a Quaker, by King Charles II.

According to the history of the Pennsylvania Flag, it is gathered that blue shade had to perfectly match with that of the US flag. The first flag for Pennsylvania was sanctioned in 1799 and displayed the Pennsylvania coat of arms, which was embroidered on each side. During the phase of the Civil War, the Pennsylvania regiments used the Stars and Stripes flag, but in a modified format.

The Pennsylvania Flag has a blue background, in the center of which there is a state coat of arms. The shape of the Pennsylvania Flag is said to be tending towards a squarish form than a rectangular one.

The Pennsylvania state flag’s dark blue background is required to be the same color as the blue in the United States flag. The identical color is meant to signify Pennsylvania’s bond with the U.S. Similarly, the bald eagle perched at the top of state’s coat of arms also represents Pennsylvania’s loyalty to the U.S.

The first one is that of a ship that stands for the state's commerce. The second is a plow that represents the state's agriculture and natural resources. Lastly, the 3 sheaves of wheat are symbols of fertility and fecundity. Below the shield a cornstalk and olive branch represent success and peace. Beneath it is the state motto "Virtue Liberty and Independence", beautifully written on a red ribbon.

There is a barrage of cheap and inferior Pennsylvania flags being imported and sold, that do not comply with the flag statute. This is bad for a number of reasons. Imported flags are cheaply made and more importantly, the designs, materials, colors, and methods of printing do not compare well with the better quality, longer-lasting, and correctly designed flags made by American manufacturers. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Pennsylvania flag for the future.




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