Virginia Flag is at Full Mast Today

Brief History of the Virginia State Flag

The flag of Virginia consists of the state’s Seal superimposed on a blue field. The current design was adopted in 1861, and it has been used ever since with only slight changes. Here is a brief history of the Virginia flag.

The first official flag of Virginia was adopted in 1861, when Virginia seceded from the Union and became a Confederate state. The flag featured the state’s Seal superimposed on a blue field. The Seal showed a woman, believed to be Virtue, standing above a fallen soldier with the word “Virginia” above her head. This design was used until 1865, when Virginia was readmitted to the Union.

In 1876, the General Assembly of Virginia passed a law specifying the design of the state flag. The law stipulated that the Seal should be flanked by symbols of the state’s history: an image of Liberty on the left and an image of Justice on the right. This design was used until 1930, when the General Assembly amended the law to specify that the Flag should consist solely of the Seal superimposed on a blue field.

The current design of the Virginia flag was adopted in 1930 and has been used ever since with only slight changes. The most notable change came in 2001, when the General Assembly specified that flags manufactured for sale to the public must be made entirely from virgin wool and cotton fabric.


The flag of Virginia is a simple but elegant design that has been in use for nearly a century. It is a representation of the state’s history and its commitment to liberty and justice. If you are looking for a flag to show your pride in Virginia, this is the perfect option.