 | What is the design of the New York state flag? |
| | | The design on the New York State flag is a field of blue containing an image of the coat of arms and seal of New York |
| What does the eagle symbolize? |
| | | In heraldry the eagle was a symbol held by men of action and ingenuity, occupied with weighty affairs. |
| | | The eagle was intended to at once to recall the great Roman Republic and at the same time be uniquely American (the Bald Eagle being indigenous to North America). |
| | | The American Bald eagle is depicted with its wings "displayed" which is a symbol of protection. |
| What does the globe symbolize on the New York State flag? |
| | | The globe is symbolizes worldliness & world travel. "By exhibiting the eastern and western continents on the globe, the old and new are brought together" |
| What does the two female figures symbolize? |
| | | The figures represent Lady Liberty and Justitia, the Roman goddess of Justice |
| | | The figure of Lady Liberty is shown holding a staff topped with a gold liberty cap. Similar caps called the pileus were said to be worn in ancient Rome by slaves who had won their freedom. A royal crown lies at the left foot of Lady Liberty, thrown down to represent the overthrow of the British monarchy in the War of Independence (1775–1783). |
| | | Justitia holds the scales of justice in her left hand is depicted wearing a blindfold representing objectivity, in that justice is delivered impartially, without fear or favour, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness. In her right hand she holds a gold handled sword that represents her readiness to fight tyranny. |
| What does the image in the shield of the New York State flag symbolize? |
| | | The image depicted in the central shield depicts the Hudson Highlands, the sun and a ship and a sloop sailing on the Hudson River. |
| | | The Hudson Highlands are mountains on both sides of the Hudson River in the U.S. state of New York |
| | | In heraldry the sun symbolizes glory and splendour: the fountain of life |
| What are the colors and what do the colors mean, or symbolize, in heraldry? |
| | | The color blue symbolizes vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice |
| What is the shape and flag ratio? The 'Hoist' is the width and the 'Fly' is the length. |
| | | The ratio is 1:2 meaning it is 1 unit tall for every 2 units wide. |
| Who designed the New York State Flag? |
| | | The name of the designers of the coat of arms that feature on the seal and flag of New York State were John Jay, John Sloss Hobart and Gouverneur Morris |
| What is the history of the New York State Flag? |
| | | 1788: The coat of arms was adopted |
| | | 1858: New York militia regulations called for the coat of arms to appear on a white field (background) as the New York State flag |
| | | 1896, the legislature adopted a law changing the white to a buff color to match the facing color of the uniforms worn by the troops serving in the Continental Army. |
| | | 1901: The buff background was changed to blue in line with the regimental flags which traditionally displayed the coat of arms on a blue background |
| When was the New York State Flag officially adopted by the state's legislature? (Most US flags were designed in 19th & 20th centuries) |
| | | It was officially adopted April 1, 1901 |
| The New York flag is kept and used as required by the code specified in the constitution of the state. |
