Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania

Flag and coat of arms of Pennsylvania
Versions
Historical coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)
The coat of arms is often used in the form of a "seal"
The coat of arms as it appears on the obverse of the Great Seal.
Details
Armiger	Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Adopted	1778
Crest	Bald eagle
Torse	Gold and White
Supporters	Horses
Motto	Virtue, Liberty, and Independence

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Use	Civil and state flag
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	April 29, 1900
Design	Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania on a blue field
Variant flag of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Name	Standard of the Governor of Pennsylvania
Design	Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania on a white field, with two banners above and below

The coat of arms of Pennsylvania is an official emblem of the state, alongside the seal and state flag, and was adopted in 1778. The flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania consists of a blue field on which the state coat of arms is embroidered. The Pennsylvania coat of arms features a shield crested by an American bald eagle, flanked by horses, and adorned with symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths—a ship carrying state commerce to all parts of the world; a clay-red plough, a symbol of Pennsylvania's rich natural resources; and three golden sheaves of wheat, representing fertile fields and Pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action. An olive branch and cornstalk cross limbs beneath—symbols of peace and prosperity. The state motto, "Virtue, Liberty and Independence", appears festooned below. Atop the coat of arms is a bald eagle, representing Pennsylvania's loyalty to the United States.

Originally authorized by the state in 1799, the current design was enacted by law in 1907.

In the summer of 2005, a bill was introduced to the state legislature to add "Pennsylvania" to the bottom of the flag in golden letters. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted in favor of the change. The legislation was proposed by State Representative Tim Solobay. The Senate has not yet taken action on the bill.

The flag of the governor of Pennsylvania contains the state coat of arms on a field of white. Above the coat of arms, the flag displays a red ribbon with "The Governor" written in gold sans serif lettering. Below the coat of arms, the flag displays another red ribbon with "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in gold lettering.

In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial flags. The survey ranked Pennsylvania's flag 57th out of the 72.

Besides being used by itself, the coat of arms is used on many governmental seals of the state, as well as the flag of the Governor.

Flag of the Governor of Pennsylvania