New York Flag

The New York state flag again is one of the popular state designs, the states coat of arms on a dark blue background. The state flag of New York was officially adopted in 1901, using the coat of arms in its center. The coat of arms was adopted long before New York’s flag in 1778. The New York flag and it’s the New York flag symbols are the following. The shield in the coat of arms shows beautiful scenery of New York. The sun rising behind three hills or mountains into a cloudless sky is the scenery depicted on the shield. In front the Hudson River, which makes the background a representation of the Highlands of the Hudson River. A sailing ship with three masts and a sloop are displayed on the river representing commerce in New York. The riversides are green grass and bushes. The shield is supported by Justice and Liberty.

Justice is on right side has her hair decorated with pearls, is blindfolded and holds a sword in one, a scale in the other hand. This symbolizes fairness and impartiality of justice. She is dressed in golden cloths with a blue belt and a loose red robe. On the left, Liberty is holding a pole with a Phrygian cap (a symbol of Liberty to Roman slaves that were freed). At her left foot sits a crown, representing the loss of government of the British crown over the United States. Liberty is dressed in blue cloths and wears blue sandals and just like Justice, she wears a red robe and her hair is decorated with pearls. Right beneath the shield is a white ribbon with New York states state motto, “Excelsior”. It means translated “Ever Upward” and symbolizes a reach for higher goals. Right above the shield on top of the earths globe showing the Atlantic Ocean sits the bald eagle that faces to the right. The eagle facing to the right is a good omen.

One almost hidden factor about the flag of New York is the face appearing on the sun.
New York’s first flag was very similar to the current one, with one major difference, a buff colored background instead of dark blue one was used from approximately 1896 to 1901. New York flag pictures often do not show this properly and sometimes it is even hard to see the face on a flying New York flag because it is most often stitched on the sun with a similar shade color as the sun itself.

New York flags can be bought at any of the better flag stores across the United States and at several online retailers. These retailers also show a wide variety of pictures of the New York flag.

Other sources for a New York state flag picture are history books and museums, which also offer more New York flag facts as well as extensive descriptions of New York Flag symbols.