Introduction
The flag of Vermont features a deep blue field with the state's coat of arms at its center. This central emblem is a complex scene depicting a pine tree, a cow, sheaves of wheat, and a deer's head, all framed by a decorative border. The state's name, 'VERMONT', arches across the top, while the motto 'Freedom & Unity' appears on a red ribbon below.
The flag's design falls into the category of a seal-on-a-bedsheet, a common style for U.S. state flags. Its primary colors are blue, gold, green, and red, creating a detailed and symbolic composition. The overall aesthetic is traditional and heraldic, prioritizing symbolic meaning over bold, simple graphic design.
Meaning & Symbolism
The central coat of arms is rich with agricultural and natural symbolism. The tall pine tree represents Vermont's forests and its history as an independent republic, the cow and sheaves of wheat symbolize the state's dairy and farming industries, and the deer's head alludes to its wildlife. The blue background of the flag field is often associated with vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
The state motto, 'Freedom & Unity', encapsulates a core Vermont ideal, balancing individual liberty with community cohesion. The wreath of pine branches on the shield further emphasizes the state's identity as the 'Green Mountain State'. The colors within the coat of arms, including green and gold, reflect the state's natural landscape and agricultural wealth.
History of the Vermont Flag
Vermont has had three official state flags. The first, used from 1804 to 1837, was a navy blue flag with a single white star in the upper left canton and the state coat of arms in the center. The second flag, adopted in 1837, changed the field to the U.S. national flag's design of stars and stripes, retaining the state coat of arms on a blue canton.
The current and third design was adopted by an act of the Vermont General Assembly on June 1, 1923. This act simplified the flag to its present form: a solid blue field with the state coat of arms. The change was made largely to avoid the confusion and expense of updating the flag each time the number of stars on the U.S. flag increased.
Curiosities
- Vermont is one of only two U.S. states (the other being Maine) whose flag features a pine tree, a symbol of the New England region.
- The 1804 Vermont flag, with its single star, is sometimes called the 'Starry Banner' or 'Green Mountain Boys flag,' though the latter is more accurately associated with a Revolutionary War-era militia flag.
- Vexillologists often cite Vermont's flag as a classic example of a 'seal-on-a-bedsheet' design, which is generally criticized for being difficult to distinguish at a distance.
Download Flag
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Construction Sheet
The flag's official proportions are 3:5. The deep blue field forms the entire background. The state's coat of arms is centered on the field, with its height being roughly one-half the hoist width. The name 'VERMONT' is inscribed on a scroll in capital letters above the shield, and the motto 'Freedom & Unity' is on a red ribbon below it, both integrated into the coat of arms design.
Flags Similar to Vermont Flag
Common Misidentifications
Often confused with other U.S. state flags that also feature a blue field and a complex state seal or coat of arms.