Flag of Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The commonwealth of Massachusetts' flag in the United States
has been represented by official but limited-purpose flag
s since 1776, though until 1908 it had no state flag per se to represent its government. A variant of the white flag with blue seal was carried by each of the Massachusetts volunteer regiments during the Civil War alongside the national colors. An exception were the two "Irish regiments" (the 9th and 28th Volunteers), each of which was permitted to carry an alternative green flag with a harp symbol. The state currently has three official flags: a state flag, a "naval and maritime flag" (despite it no longer having its own navy), and a governor's
flag.
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The flag
of the commonwealth of Massachusetts displays, on both sides, the state coat of arms
centered on a white field. The shield depicts an Algonquian
Native American
with bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. The arm itself is the Goliad symbol common in early Texan flags and signifying the philosophy that those represented would rather lose their right arm than live under tyranny. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying Massachusetts' admission as the sixth U.S. state
. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem
("By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty"). Above the shield is the state military crest
: the bent arm of Myles Standish
holding a broadsword
aloft. The sword has its blade up, to remind that it was through the American Revolution that liberty was won.
The state flag was officially adopted in 1908, but had been used unofficially since the American Revolution
of the ensign of the Massachusetts State Navy
. In 1971 the earlier pine tree was replaced by the current design.
In April 1776, the Massachusetts Navy adopted, as its flag (naval ensign), a white field charged with a green pine tree and the motto "An Appeal to Heaven
." In 1971 the motto was removed, and the flag was designated "the naval and maritime flag of the Commonwealth".
Massachusetts is one of only two states with its own naval ensign (the other is Maine
).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has been represented by official but limited-purpose flag
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
s since 1776, though until 1908 it had no state flag per se to represent its government. A variant of the white flag with blue seal was carried by each of the Massachusetts volunteer regiments during the Civil War alongside the national colors. An exception were the two "Irish regiments" (the 9th and 28th Volunteers), each of which was permitted to carry an alternative green flag with a harp symbol. The state currently has three official flags: a state flag, a "naval and maritime flag" (despite it no longer having its own navy), and a governor's
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
flag.
State flag
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
of the commonwealth of Massachusetts displays, on both sides, the state coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
centered on a white field. The shield depicts an Algonquian
Algonquian peoples
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
with bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. The arm itself is the Goliad symbol common in early Texan flags and signifying the philosophy that those represented would rather lose their right arm than live under tyranny. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying Massachusetts' admission as the sixth U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem is a Latin passage and the official motto of the U.S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The phrase is often loosely translated into English as "by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"...
("By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty"). Above the shield is the state military crest
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
: the bent arm of Myles Standish
Myles Standish
Myles Standish was an English military officer hired by the Pilgrims as military advisor for Plymouth Colony. One of the Mayflower passengers, Standish played a leading role in the administration and defense of Plymouth Colony from its inception...
holding a broadsword
Broadsword
Broadsword may refer to:*Broadsword , a military sword used by heavy cavalry during the 17th to early 19th centuriesIn more modern times, it has also been used to refer to:...
aloft. The sword has its blade up, to remind that it was through the American Revolution that liberty was won.
The state flag was officially adopted in 1908, but had been used unofficially since the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
of the ensign of the Massachusetts State Navy
Massachusetts State Navy
The Massachusetts State Navy , a naval militia active during the American Revolutionary War was founded December 29, 1775, to defend the interests of Massachusetts from British forces....
. In 1971 the earlier pine tree was replaced by the current design.
Naval and maritime flag
Pine Tree Flag
The Pine Tree Flag was one of the flags used during the American Revolution. The flag, featuring a pine tree flag with the motto "An Appeal to God," or, more usually, "An Appeal to Heaven," was used originally by a squadron of six cruisers commissioned under George Washington's authority as...
." In 1971 the motto was removed, and the flag was designated "the naval and maritime flag of the Commonwealth".
Massachusetts is one of only two states with its own naval ensign (the other is Maine
Flag of Maine
-Ensign:Maine is also one of only two states with a separate ensign, which is rarely seen . It features symbols from the current flag and the older one, with a white field and green pine tree...
).
See also
- Flags of the Governors of the U.S. States
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Symbols of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Symbols of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts