The State Flag of Vermont

The current Vermont state flag was originally approved for use on June 1, 1923. Vermont's flag origins go much farther back; in the more than 200 years that have passed since Vermont flew its first state flag, both the history and symbolism of the state flag have changed dramatically.

The current state flag of Vermont

Vermont's current state flag follows a popular template; at the center of a broad expanse of blue is the state's coat of arms which sits atop a red ribbon bearing the state motto of "Freedom and Unity." The Vermont coat of arms pays respect to the state's three major industries, forestry, dairy and agriculture, which are represented with a pine tree, cow and wheat, respectively. The deer head at the top of the coat represents the native wildlife, while the Green Mountains serve as a backdrop.

Previous Vermont flags

The flag Vermont flies today is a far cry to some of the state's previous choices. The coat of arms first appeared on the flag in 1837, but at the time it was located in the top left corner. It was designed to emulate the national flag with a blue square in the top left and red and white stripes making up the remainder. From 1804 to 1837, the state used a design that was almost indistinguishable from Old Glory.

The first and future Vermont flag

The first flag that Vermont consistently flew was the Green Mountain Boys flag that the state's militia originally used during the Revolutionary War. Though use of this flag was discontinued in 1804, there have been many modern attempts to reinstate this design.

The current Vermont state flag was originally flown over the Governor's home before it was adopted to represent the entire state. Though some Vermont residents have pushed for another change in design, the current flag has represented the state in front of thousands of proud Vermont homes for close to 100 years.