Multiple versions of the flag have been included throughout history. Originally, the flag was the same as the flag of the Green Mountain Boys. It was then changed to look similar to the flag of the United States, consisting of red and white stripes, and a blue canton. It was changed to be dissimilar to avoid confusion. Proposals have been brought up to revert the flag back to the Green Mountain Boys' flag, but none have succeeded.
The flag consists of the state's coat of arms and motto on a field of azure. While the supporters of the coat of arms are represented throughout New England, the pine tree in the middle of the coat of arms represents the Vermont forests. The cow and three sheaves of wheat represent the dairy and agriculture industries. The deer head on top represents Vermont's wildlife. The Green Mountains are in the background as well. The motto, "Freedom and Unity", is also used. The motto balances two different ideals, the freedom of the individual citizen, and the welfare of the common good.
In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of the flags of all 72 flags of the U.S. states, U.S. territories and Canadian provinces. Vermont's ranked 61st out of the 72.
Historical Flags
The Green Mountain Boys Flag, militia flag of the Vermont Republic
Flag of Vermont, May 1, 1804 – Oct. 19, 1837
Flag of Vermont, Oct. 20, 1837 – May 31, 1923
Proposals for a New Flag of Vermont
Shown below are various designs that have been proposed for a new flag of Vermont.
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 1"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 2"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 3"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 4"
VT Proposed Flag "Greg Stone 5"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 6"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 7"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 8"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 9"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 10"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 11"
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 12"
VT Flag Proposal "shadowmask"
VT Flag Proposal "Smertios"
VT Flag Proposal "thefrek"
VT Flag Proposal "Steve Lovelace"
VT Flag Proposal "VoronX 1"
VT Flag Proposal "VoronX 2"
VT Flag Proposal "VoronX 3"
VT Flag Proposal "FlagFreak"
VT Flag Proposal "MRRoberts"
VT Flag Proposal "Marmocet 1"
VT Flag Proposal "Marmocet 2"
VT Flag Proposal "Marmocet 3"
VT Flag Proposal "FederalRepublic"
VT Flag Proposal "Jack Expo"
VT Flag Proposal "The Professor"
VT Flag Proposal "Tibbetts"
VT Flag Proposal "Howard J Wilk"
VT Flag Proposal "DeathPwnie"
VT Proposed Flag - Unknown Designer
VT Flag Proposal "Greg Stone 13"
VT Flag Proposal "Leonardo Piccioni"
VT Flag Proposal "Flag Research Center"
VT Flag Proposal "Dave Martinucci"
VT Flag Proposal "Sammy"
VT Flag Proposal "VT45"
VT Flag Proposal "AlternateUniverseDesigns"
VT Flag Proposal "Usacelt"
VT Flag Proposal by Kermitdefrog
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 1 Green Mountain Boys Concept With 13 Star Medallion Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 12 AUG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 2 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 12 AUG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 3 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 4 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 5 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 6 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 7 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 8 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 9 Designed By Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 10 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 11 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 19 AuG 2014
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 12 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 13 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 20 Aug 2014
VT Flag Proposal "BigRed618"
Vermont State Flag Proposal No. 14 Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 03 DEC 2014 at 1208 HRS CST