Flag of Georgia State
The state flag of Georgia consists of three red and white stripes with the state’s coat of arms situated on a blue field in the upper corner of the flag. Thirteen stars surround the coat of arms. Three pillars supporting an arch and in a shield is a man dressed like a soldier of the American Revolution with a drawn sword to defend the constitution. The words of the state’s motto, "Wisdom, Justice, Moderation," are wrapped around the pillars. The year 1778 is inscribed on the seal and the additional motto, “in God We Trust” is inscribed under the seal.
Symbolism
The elements on the flag and in the seal represent the following:
- Thirteen stars: represents Georgia and the twelve other colonies that formed the United States of America
- Three pillars: represents the three branches of government, namely legislative, judicial, and executive
- Arch: represents the state’s constitution
- Man with a drawn sword: represents the defense of the constitution
- 1776: represents the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
History
Georgia was one of the original thirteen colonies that signed the Declaration of Independence and led to the formation of the United States. Until the Civil War, the state did not have an official standard. Instead, the flag of the United States flew over the state of Georgia.
Cessation Flags
Immediately after the election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860, cessation flags began appearing across the south. These flags consist of a single star in a solid background which indicates that the state flying the flag had withdrawn (or planned to withdraw) from the Union. Possibly the first of these flags was flown in Savannah, Georgia. This flag featured a coiled snake on a white background and with the motto, "Our Motto, Southern Rights, Equality of the States, Don't Tread on Me" written on it.
The most recognized of these single-star cessation flags was the "Bonnie Blue Flag" which consisted of a single white star on a solid blue field. Yet, there is no proof that this flag was flown in Georgia. However, a single red star on a white background was seen in Augusta and in Millidgeville in January 1861. The latter town served as Georgia’s capital from 1807 to 1868.
Confederate States of America
Georgia flew the two national flags of the Confederate States during the Civil War.
The first confederate national flag was known as the "Stars and Bars” and it was used from 1861 to 1863. It consisted of a red field divided by three equally- sized white bands. It had a square blue union and the height bars had a circle of stars representing the states of the confederacy where it is located.
The second national flag of the confederacy was used from 1863 to 1865. This flag consisted of a white field, with its length twice as long as its width. A square confederate battle flag, 2/3 the width of the field, was used as a canton on the upper left corner. This flag was often made shorter so as not to be confused with a flag of surrender
Georgia State Flags
After the Civil war, Georgia was readmitted to the Union. As no state flag had been defined yet, various unofficial flags were seen all over the state. The most recognized unofficial flag was the one that possibly originated from military banner and bears the state’s coat of arms. It was used until 1879 when an official flag was described by law.
Georgia’s first official state flag was created through the legislation presented by state senator Herman Perry. His design removed the stars, extended the blue canton to the bottom of the flag and its width set at 1/3 the length of the entire flag. This flag was inaugurated on October 17, 1879 by Governor Colquitt.
Georgia reorganized its state military laws in 1902. In response to this, the Georgia General Assembly changed the flag design and specified that the state’s coat of arms should be stamped on the canton’s plain blue field. However, no evidence exists that the flag was ever made or put into use.
The state flag’s design was changed again in the 1920’s, but, it was not brought upon by legislature. In this flag, the Great Seal of Georgia was stamped instead of the state’s coat of arms as specified by the 1902 law.
In 1955, a proposal was made by attorney John Sammons Bell to incorporate the Confederate Battle Flag into the state’s official flag. This proposal was passed into a bill in the 1956 General Assembly and was signed into law on February 13, 1956.
The 1956 design was challenged for many years with some Georgia residents calling the inclusion of the Confederate Battle Flag as offensive and misleading. In 2001, architect Cecil Alexander proposed a design aimed to recognize the historical value of the Confederate Battle flag while lessening its prominence. This flag featured the seal on a blue field, with 13 stars circling the seal. Under these elements, a banner titled “Georgia’s History” showed five of the flags that had been used in the state’s history. The flag was adopted on January 24, 2001.
The current Georgia state flag was adopted on May 8, 2003 through H.B. 380, signed by Governor Sonny Perdue.
