Flag of Vermont

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The Flag of Vermont since 1923-06-01.

State motto on the flag.

The Flag of Vermont consists of the State Coat-of-Arms upon a field of azure. Below the escutcheon is a red ribbon with the state name "Vermont" and the state motto "Freedom and Unity." The motto is central to the Vermont ideal of balancing personal freedom with the individual’s responsibility to their community. The current flag was adopted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont on 1 June 1923.

A flag of similar design, but handpainted on silk satin, was used as the Governor’s Flag during the Vermont Republic (1777–1791). Another similar flag can be seen at the Vermont State House in the Old Supreme Court Chamber, now used as an assembly members’ reading room.

Because the format is similar to many other state flags, especially Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan, some have called for adopting the flag of the Vermont Republic (the original Green Mountain Boys infantry standard) or an altogether new design.

The Green Mountain Boys battle flag, used by Vermont from the 1760s – 1804-04-30.

When Vermont joined the United States of America on 4 March 1791, it did not adopt an official state flag, but both the Green Mountain Boys battle flag, and the Governor’s flag (above) were used informally.

Vermont’s official state flag (1804-05-01 – 1837-10-19).

On 1 May 1804, the number of U.S. states rose to seventeen, and it was expected that the U.S. flag would change to 17 stars and 17 stripes. In recognition, Vermont adopted what was expected to be the new U.S. flag with the addition of the name "VERMONT" embroidered along the top. The U.S. flag did not actually change, resulting in the Vermont flag having more stars and stripes than the national flag.

Vermont’s official state flag (1837-10-20 – 1923-05-31).

On 20 October 1837, Vermont changed its flag to a design based on the current 13-stripe U.S. flag, but with the multiple stars of the blue canton replaced with a single large star surrounding Vermont’s coat of arms. The flags based on these specifications varied in the number of points on the star (five and eight, with eight slightly more common), and the exact details of the center of the star (with either the Great Seal or the Coat-of-Arms being used).

Because of confusion with the U.S. flag, the design of the Vermont Governor’s Flag (see above) was adopted as the official state flag on 1 June 1923.