Year Adopted: 1861.

Virginia is one of the original 13 colonies and is officially known as The Commonwealth of Virginia. It ratified the Constitution in 1788 and became the 10th state in the Union. The flag of the Commonwealth is deep blue with a centered circular coat of arms, the obverse side of the great seal. (prescribed in leg.1.state.va.us, Code of Virginia, § 1-500)

The seal features the words "VIRGINIA," above and "SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS" (“thus always to tyrants”) below the figure of Virtus, Roman goddess of virtue, holding a sword and a spear. She has defeated a tyrant who is lying on the ground holding a chain and a whip. The seal was designed by George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and was adopted in 1776. The flag was adopted in 1861. (see also, virginia.org)