Flag and seal of Virginia
| Use | Civil and state flag |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | March 28, 1912 (standardized February 1, 1950) |
| Design | The obverse of the state seal on an azure field |
| Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
|---|---|
The seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
| Versions | |
The reverse side of the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
| Armiger | Commonwealth of Virginia |
| Adopted | March 28, 1912 (standardized February 1, 1950) |
| Motto | Sic Semper Tyrannis |
| Designer | Charles Keck |
The Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the official seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state. The state flag of Virginia consists of the obverse of the seal against a blue background. A state flag was first adopted at the beginning of the American Civil War in April 1861, readopted in 1912, and standardized by the General Assembly in February 1950. The standing allegorical female figure of virtue is shown having vanquished tyranny, symbolized by a fallen king at her feet. She has an exposed breast in the manner of classical depictions of Amazons. The motto shown on the seal, Sic semper tyrannis, means "Thus always to tyrants."
It is one of six US state flags (along with Florida, New York, New Jersey, Wyoming, and Idaho) with a depiction of a woman, and the only state flag in the U.S. depicting nudity.
The flag may be decorated with a white fringe along the fly edge; this is usually done when the flag is displayed indoors.