Flag of Massachusetts
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Former reverse of the flag of Massachusetts |
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Naval Ensign of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
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Flag of the governor of Massachusetts |
The
flag of Massachusetts displays, on both sides, the state
coat of arms centered on a white field. The shield depicts an
Algonquin Native American with
bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying Massachusetts' admission as the 6th
US State. A blue ribbon (blue, signifying the
Blue Hills of
Canton and
Milton) surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto
Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem ("By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"). Above the shield is the state military
crest: a bent arm holding a
broadsword aloft. The sword has its blade up, to remind that it was through the American Revolution that independence was won.
The state flag was made official in 1908, but had been used unofficially since the
American Revolution. This flag included on its reverse the blue shield from the coat of arms containing only a green
pine tree, which had been the design of the state
naval ensign ever since the
Revolutionary War.
In 1971 the flag was changed to make it the same on both sides. Additionally in 1971, the
naval ensign, which had consisted of a green pine tree and the motto "An Appeal to Heaven," was changed to remove the religious motto. Massachusetts is one of only two states with its own naval ensign (the other is
Maine).
The flag of the
governor of Massachusetts has the same design as the state flag, but with a triangular shape.
Joe McMillan (2000), Zach Harden (2001), Mario Fabretto (1998), and Nick Artimovich (1997),
FOTW Flags of the World web site*
Seal of Massachusetts
