The State Flag of Massachusetts

Since 1776, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States is being represented by official flags(though the flags are limited). Until the year 1908, there was no perfect state flag for Massachusetts to represent it’s government. Now, the state has three flags which are all official.

These flags are:

• a state flag
• a naval and maritime flag
• a governor’s flag

Facts about the state flag of Massachusetts

On the 6th of March, 1915, Massachusetts adopted a State flag. This flag is similar to the flag that flies over the Commonwealth now. This flag designed in 1915 represented the Commonwealth coat of arms on one side on a white field(background). On the other side of the flag, a blue shield with a pine tree on it was depicted. This is to symbolize the value placed on wood by the people at Massachusetts.

A new design was approved to replace the old one on the 2nd of June, 1971. This took effect and was officially launched on the 1st of November, 1971. This new design of the flag represents the Massachusetts coat of arms on a white field on both sides of the flag. This is the flag which is used to represent Massachusetts today.

The coat of arms we see on the flag of Massachusetts consists of a blue shield with a picture of a blue shield with an Algonquin Native American on it. This Indian is dressed in a shirt, moccasins, and leggings. We can see him holding a golden bow in one hand and a gold arrow which is pointing downwards in the other hand. We can see a silver five-pointed star in the shield’s upper right hand corner. On a gold wreath above the shield, there is a right arm bent at the elbow and holding a gold broadsword.

A blue ribbon partially covers the shield and the motto of the Commonwealth is printed in gold on this ribbon.

The blue shield represents the Blue Hills of Canton and Milton in Massachusetts. The Indian we see on the shield carries the arrow which points downward and this indicates a friendly demeanor. The silver star on the shield represents the state Massachusetts as one of the thirteen original colonies of the United States.

‘Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem’, the motto of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is printed in gold color on the blue ribbon which covers the shield partially. In English, it means “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”. The ruffle sleeved arm holding the sword which is depicted on the shield supports the motto printed on the ribbon.