Flag and seal of Virginia
Use | Civil and state flag |
---|---|
Proportion | 2:3 |
Adopted | March 28, 1912[1] (standardized February 1, 1950)[2][N 1] |
Design | An obverse of the state seal on an azure field. |
Designed by | Charles Keck[3][4] |
The Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the official seal of the
History
In May 1776 the
The seal makers did not want a design which in any way resembled the style of
By 1912, many variants of the seal had become propagated, leading to confusion as to which was the actual seal.[1] Thus, Virginia decided to standardize the design of the seal to avoid confusion.[1]
Design
Obverse
The
The
A joke referencing the image on the seal that dates as far back as the Civil War, is that "Sic semper tyrannis" actually means "Get your foot off my neck."[9]
In 2010,
Reverse
The reverse of the seal pictures the
To the left of Libertas stands
The motto gracing the reverse with its trio of Libertas, Ceres, and Aeternitas is Perseverando, or in English, Persevering, a reminder to future generations of the need to persist in maintaining the blessings of liberty. The ornamental border on both sides of the seal consists of sprigs of Parthenocissus quinquefolia, or commonly, Virginia creeper. In 1930 another committee was charged with standardizing the seal's design because of all the variations that came into use over the years. The seals that now adorn the doors of the Southern Portico of the Capitol in Richmond were designed by Charles Keck.[3][4] What the committee approved was basically adopting the 1776 seal as the standard. In 1949, another standard was implemented, when Virginia's Art Commission defined the official color scheme for the seal.[7]
The Great Seal and the lesser seal are the same except for size. The lesser seal is used on commissions of commonwealth officials and notaries, and on other papers which remain within the boundaries of, or relate only to, Virginia.
Legal description of seal
Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
---|---|
historical coat of arms from 1876. | |
Armiger | Commonwealth of Virginia |
Adopted | March 28, 1912 (standardized February 1, 1950)[11] |
The Seal of Virginia is officially described in the Code of Virginia (1950), §1-500, as follows:
The great seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall consist of two metallic discs, two and one-fourth inches in diameter, with an ornamental border one fourth of an inch wide, with such words and figures engraved thereon as will, when used, produce impressions to be described as follows: On the obverse,
Ceres, with a cornucopia in her left hand, and an ear of wheat in her right; over this device, in a curved line, the word "Perseverando."[11]
Under Virginian state law, the secretary of the Commonwealth is the Keeper of the Seals of the Commonwealth.[12]
Coat of Arms
At the University of Virginia on 10 July 1976, as part of her visit to celebrate the bi-centenary of the United States of America, Queen Elizabeth II presented the Governor of Virginia the Letters Patent of Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms dated 3 June 1976 which devised arms, crest and supporters for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The blazons were as follows:
Because the design included the royal crown and quarterings of the royal arms, The Queen had to approve the design before the devisal could be made. The design was one used by the Virginia Merchants and Colony of Virginia from around 1620 until 1776.[13]
Governmental seals
-
Seal of the Supreme Court of Virginia
-
Seal of the State Corporation Commission of Virginia
-
Seal of the Virginia National Guard
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Seal of the Virginia Senate
Notes
- ^ The very first Virginian state flag was adopted in 1861. It featured a similar design to the current flag.
References
- ^ a b c d Commonwealth, Virginia Secretary of the (December 13, 2018). "Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth to the Governor and General Assembly of Virginia" – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "§ 1-506. Flag of the Commonwealth". Code of Virginia. Commonwealth of Virginia. February 1, 1950. Retrieved January 28, 2015 – via Virginia Law.
The flag of the Commonwealth shall be a deep blue field, with a circular white centre of the same material. Upon this circle shall be painted or embroidered, to show on both sides alike, the coat of arms of the Commonwealth, as described in § 1-500 for the obverse of the great seal of the Commonwealth; and there may be a white fringe on the outer edge, furthest from the flagstaff. This shall be known and respected as the flag of the Commonwealth. (Code 1950, § 7-32; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-32; 2005, c. 839.)
- ^ a b "The Great Seal of Virginia at the Capitol of Virginia". 6 Hour Day. June 2, 2005. Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
- ^ a b "Charles Kek: Sculptor (1871–1951)" (PDF). Century Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ^ a b Wyatt, Rick (August 8, 2017). "Virginia (U.S.)". Flags of the World. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "3X5 Indoor VA Flag (Parade) with Fringe, Tassel". Store: Department of General Services. Commonwealth of Virginia. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ a b "Virginia State Flag". NetState. February 6, 2014. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
- ^ Virginia Convention (April 30, 1861). An ORDINANCE to establish a Flag for this Commonwealth. Ordinance No. 33. Virginia.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ von Borcke, Heros (April 1866). "Memoirs of the Confederate War for Independence". Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. American edition, vol. 62. 99 (606). New York: Leonard Scott & Co.: 462. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
...the coat of arms of the state of Virginia, bearing the motto, Sic semper tyrannis, which the soldiers translated, "Take your foot off my neck", from the action of the principal figure ... representing Liberty, who, with a lance in her right hand, is standing over the conquered and prostrate tyrant, and apparently trampling on him with her heel.
- ^ Walker, Julian (May 1, 2010). "Cuccinelli opts for more modest state seal". The Virginian-Pilot. Virginia. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ a b Commonwealth of Virginia (February 1, 1950). "§ 1-500. The great seal". Code of Virginia. Virginia: Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
The great seal of the Commonwealth shall consist of two metallic discs, two and one-fourth inches in diameter, with an ornamental border one fourth of an inch wide, with such words and figures engraved as follows: On the obverse, Virtus, the genius of the Commonwealth, dressed as an Amazon, resting on a spear in her right hand, point downward, touching the earth; and holding in her left hand, a sheathed sword, or parazonium, pointing upward; her head erect and face upturned; her left foot on the form of Tyranny represented by the prostrate body of a man, with his head to her left, his fallen crown nearby, a broken chain in his left hand, and a scourge in his right. Above the group and within the border conforming therewith, shall be the word "Virginia," and, in the space below, on a curved line, shall be the motto, "Sic Semper Tyrannis." On the reverse, shall be placed a group consisting of Libertas, holding a wand and pileus in her right hand; on her right, Aeternitas, with a globe and phoenix in her right hand; on the left of Libertas, Ceres, with a cornucopia in her left hand, and an ear of wheat in her right; over this device, in a curved line, the word "Perseverando." (Code 1950, § 7-26; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-26; 2005, c. 839.)
- ^ "§ 1-502. Custody; impressions displayed in The Library of Virginia". Code of Virginia. Commonwealth of Virginia. February 1, 1950. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
The seals of the Commonwealth described in §§ 1-500 and 1-501 shall be kept by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and used as provided by law, and at least three clear impressions of the seals shall be kept and displayed by the Librarian of Virginia in some suitable place in The Library of Virginia, for public inspection. (Code 1950, § 7-28; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-28; 1994, c. 64; 1998, c. 427; 2005, c. 839.)
- ^ "January 2024 Newsletter (no. 74) - College of Arms". www.college-of-arms.gov.uk. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
Further reading
- Adapted from Simkins, Francis Butler; Jones, Spotswood Hunnicutt; & Poole, Sidman P. (1964). Virginia: History, Government, Geography (Revised Edition). Charles Scribner's Sons. pp 673–675.
- The Virginia Legislative Information System
- "§ 1-506. Flag of the Commonwealth". Code of Virginia.