The New York State flag features a central design on a dark blue background. Here's a breakdown of the colors, meaning, and history:
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Colors:
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Dark Blue: The dominant color, often referred to as navy blue. It can symbolize vigilance, justice, and perseverance.
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Design and Meaning:
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- The central design is the New York State Coat of Arms.
- A rising sun over three mountain peaks represents a new beginning and the natural beauty of the state.
- The Hudson River with a seagoing vessel and a sloop signifies the importance of commerce and trade.
- Liberty (wearing a cap) and Justice flank the shield, representing the state's values.
A white ribbon below the shield displays the state motto, "Excelsior" (Ever Upward).
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History:
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- The New York State Coat of Arms was adopted in 1778.
- The flag itself wasn't formalized until 1896, initially with a buff (light yellow) background.
- In 1901, the background was changed to the current dark blue.
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Interesting Facts:
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- The design is based on a Revolutionary War flag.
- The North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) ranked the New York flag 53rd out of 72 North American flags in 2001.
- In 2020, the state motto "Excelsior" gained a companion motto, "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of Many, One), displayed beneath it on the coat of arms.
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