Flag of Pennsylvania

What the flag looks like

A dark blue field with the state coat of arms: a shield with a ship, a plough and three sheaves of wheat, topped by a bald eagle and supported by two black horses, above crossed stalks of corn and an olive branch and a red ribbon reading "Virtue, Liberty and Independence".

What it means

The ship stands for commerce, the plough and wheat for farming, and the olive branch and corn for peace and prosperity.

How to remember it

Pennsylvania's shield is held up by two rearing black horses, where New York uses two women.

Fun facts

• Pennsylvania is one of four US states officially styled a commonwealth.
• The 1907 flag law requires the blue to match the blue of the US flag.

Pennsylvania at a glance

Nickname

The Keystone State

Statehood

1787

Capital

Harrisburg

Region

Mid-Atlantic

Population

13 million

Area

119,280 km²

Flag adopted

1907

Flags often confused with Pennsylvania

• New York: New York and Pennsylvania both put a shield with an eagle on top on dark blue. New York's shield is held by two women; Pennsylvania's by two black horses.