The New York State Flag
A modern version of a Revolutionary War flag, today's New York State flag displays the State Coat of Arms, adopted in 1778, and centered on a dark blue field.
The shield depicts a cloudless sky with a rising sun behind three mountains, the highlands of the Hudson River. A three masted, square rigged ship and a Hudson River sloop navigate towards each other on the Hudson River representing commerce. The river is bordered by a grassy shore fringed with shrubs.
Beneath the shield on a white ribbon is the
State Motto, "Excelsior (Ever Upward)," signifying a reach for ever higher goals. Above the shield, the crest shows a Bald Eagle, wings spread, perched atop a globe depicting the northern Atlantic Ocean. The eagle faces right, a good omen.
On one side of the shield stands "Justice," her hair decorated with pearls. She is blindfolded and carries a sword in one hand and a scale in the other hand. These symbols represent the impartiality and fairness of justice required to meet out punishment and reward. Justice is clothed in gold with a blue belt edged with red. A loose red robe hangs from her
Opposite Justice, stands "Liberty," holding a pole topped with the Phrygian cap. These caps were given to Roman slaves when emancipated and adopted by French Revolutionists as symbols of Liberty. A crown is at her left foot, thrown there to symbolize the failed control of the British Monarchy. Liberty is clothed in blue and wearing red sandals. Like Justice, a red robe hangs from her shoulder and her unbound hair is decorated with pearls.