Virginia State Flag

History of the Virginia State Flag:  When the colony of Virginia declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776, they were determined to have a flag very quickly. By July 1, 1776, two months after their declaration, Virginia had an approved state flag. The state flag is a field of dark blue with the state seal in the center. Virginia's state seal is two-sided, but only the front side appears on their flag. Description of Virginia's State Seal:  The committee who designed the state seal did not want any resemblance to the coat-of-arms used by Britain, so they chose a Roman theme. The seal features the Roman female, Virtus, who represents the virtue of peace. Virtus stands with her foot on the throat of Tyranny. Virtus stands with her spear in a resting position, because the battle has been won. Her other weapon, the sword of authority, is sheathed. A crown lays on the ground to signify Virginia's release from the British monarch. Tyranny holds a useless whip and a broken chain, both signifying Britain's now broken and useless power over Virginia. The seal features the words "Sic Semper Tyrannis," which is Latin for "Thus always to tyrants."