Click on a country to learn more
US State
Georgia’s state emblems have been shaped by centuries of political upheaval — from colonial founding to Civil War to the flag controversies of the early 2000s. The Great Seal, adopted on 8 February 1799, features three pillars supporting an arch inscribed “Constitution,” each pillar bearing one word of the state motto: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation. A militiaman with a drawn sword stands between the pillars, defending the principles of government. The flag, adopted on 19 February 2003 and confirmed by a 73.1% referendum in 2004, bears three red-white-red stripes with a blue canton containing the state coat of arms encircled by 13 white stars and the words “In God We Trust.”
| State | Georgia (4th state, ratified Constitution 2 January 1788) |
|---|---|
| State seal | Three pillars (Wisdom, Justice, Moderation), arch, militiaman |
| Seal adopted | 8 February 1799; date changed to 1776 in 1914 |
| State flag | Red-white-red stripes, blue canton with coat of arms and 13 stars |
| Flag adopted | 19 February 2003; confirmed by referendum March 2004 |
| Motto | “Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation” |
| Capital | Atlanta |
| Nickname | The Peach State |
| State flower | Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata) |
| Reverse motto | “Agriculture and Commerce” |
Great Seal of Georgia — Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation — since 1799
The Georgia seal is an architectural allegory of constitutional government, with each element carrying precise symbolic weight.
Three pillars support an arch inscribed “Constitution.” Each pillar bears one word of the state motto: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation — representing the guiding principles of the three branches of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). A militiaman stands between the second and third columns, holding a drawn sword in his right hand, symbolizing the citizen-soldier’s defense of the Constitution. A banner wraps around the pillars reading “State of Georgia” with the date 1776.
The reverse shows a view of the seashore with a ship bearing the United States flag near a wharf, receiving hogsheads of tobacco and bales of cotton — emblematic of Georgia’s export economy. The motto “Agriculture and Commerce” appears below.
The first great seal was specified in the State Constitution of 1777. The current form was adopted on 8 February 1799. In 1914, the date on the obverse was changed from 1799 (year of the seal’s adoption) to 1776 (year of the Declaration of Independence).
Flag of Georgia — Coat of arms and In God We Trust, adopted 2003
Georgia’s current flag is the product of one of the most contentious flag debates in modern American history, culminating in a statewide referendum that settled the question in 2004.
The flag features three horizontal stripes — red, white, and red — with a blue canton in the upper left. Inside the canton, 13 white stars encircle the state coat of arms in gold. Below the coat of arms, the words “In God We Trust” appear in gold lettering.
Georgia has had multiple flag designs. The 1956 flag prominently incorporated the Confederate battle flag, which became increasingly controversial. A 2001 redesign proved unpopular. In 2003, Governor Sonny Perdue signed legislation creating the current flag, whose design is based on the First National Flag of the Confederacy (the “Stars and Bars”), though with the state coat of arms replacing Confederate symbolism.
The flag was adopted on 19 February 2003. A statewide referendum held in March 2004 confirmed the design with 73.1% of the vote.
The Great Seal features three pillars supporting an arch inscribed “Constitution,” each bearing one word of the motto: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation. A militiaman with a drawn sword stands between the pillars. Adopted 8 February 1799, with the date changed to 1776 in 1914.
The 13 white stars encircling the coat of arms represent the original 13 colonies. Georgia was the 4th state to ratify the Constitution, on 2 January 1788.
The current flag was adopted on 19 February 2003 and confirmed by a statewide referendum in March 2004, winning 73.1% of the vote.
“Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation” is the state motto. Each word appears on one of the three pillars supporting the arch of “Constitution” on the seal, representing the guiding principles of the three branches of government.
The reverse shows a ship at a wharf receiving tobacco and cotton for export, symbolizing Georgia’s agricultural economy. The motto “Agriculture and Commerce” appears below.
Last reviewed by the Emblema Mundi editorial team on 2026-06-27.