Virginia

VIRGINIA

Official blazon
English	Arms: Argent a Cross Gules between four Escutcheons each ensigned with a Royal Crown those in the first and fourth quarters emblazoned with the Arms of France (modern) quartering those of England the Escutcheon in the second quarter with the Arms of Scotland and that in the third quarter with the Arms of Ireland. Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a Female Figure couped below the shoulders proper crined Or vested Gules garnished Gold on her head an Eastern Crown of the last. Supporters: On either side a Man in Armour (circa 1620) with Sword sheathed proper garnished Or his breast plate Argent charged with a Cross Gules his helmet with beaver raised and adorned with three Ostrich Feathers Argent supporting with his exterior hand a Spear proper tipped Argent.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on June 3, 1976 by the College of Arms in London and presented to the Governor of Virginia by Queen Elisabeth II on July 10, 1976.

The arms are based on the arms of the Virginia Company granted in 1619 and show the St. George's cross with the arms of England (I and IV), Scotland (II) and Ireland (III). The crest is bust of Queen Elisabeth I, the 'Virgin Queen' after whom the colony was named.

The motto indicates that Virginia was the 5th colony.

The Senate of Virginia uses very similar arms.

Image gallery

The state seal from 1772
The arms in a 1902 booklet

Literature:seal from http://www.heraldryclipart.com

US heraldry portal

This page is part of the US heraldry portal	Heraldry of the World
US heraldry: National arms Arms of States Arms of Counties Arms of cities and towns American Samoa Guam Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Educational heraldry Institutional heraldry Corporate heraldry Collector's items from the USA Heraldic postcards Literature Total pages in the US section : 21,252	Ecclesiastical Heraldry of the USA: Ecclesiastical heraldry Roman Catholic Church Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Ruthenian Catholic Church Catholic Basilicas Episcopal Church Other Churches Military Heraldry: Military heraldry of the United States US Army heraldry US Navy heraldry US Air Force heraldry US Marine Corps heraldry US Space Force heraldry US National Guard heraldry US Coast Guard heraldry US State Military heraldry US Reserve Officer Training Corps and Cadets heraldry