Gadsden Flag
Historical FlagsA historical American flag from 1775, designed by Continental Congress delegate Christopher Gadsden.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Gadsden Flag |
|---|---|
| Category | Historical Flags |
| Adopted On | 1775 |
| Designer | Christopher Gadsden |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Yellow, Dark Brown |
| Design Type | Yellow field with a coiled rattlesnake and a motto |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | #FFCC00 | |
| Dark Brown | #3B2A12 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Yellow colour | Represents the field |
|---|---|
| Dark Brown colour | Represents the snake and lettering |
| Timber rattlesnake | An early American symbol of vigilance, drawn from Benjamin Franklin’s "Join, or Die" cartoon |
| Motto | A warning against interference |
Facts about the Flag of Gadsden Flag
- The coiled rattlesnake with the motto beneath it dates from 1775 and was used as a naval standard during the American Revolution.
- The rattlesnake had already appeared in Benjamin Franklin's 1754 Join or Die cartoon, where the segmented snake represented the separate colonies.
- A historical American flag from 1775, designed by Continental Congress delegate Christopher Gadsden.
- The flag belongs to the American Revolution. It is used in the Thirteen Colonies.
- It was founded in 1775 by Christopher Gadsden.
- The flag was adopted in 1775. It was designed by Christopher Gadsden.
- The design is 251 years old as of 2026.
- Construction: Yellow field with a coiled rattlesnake and a motto.
- It is normally drawn to a ratio of 2:3, which makes it rectangular.
- The flag uses 2 colours: yellow and dark brown.
- The yellow stands for the field.
- The dark brown stands for the snake and lettering.
- Timber rattlesnake: An early American symbol of vigilance, drawn from Benjamin Franklin’s "Join, or Die" cartoon.
- Motto: A warning against interference.
- The rattlesnake had been a symbol of the colonies since Benjamin Franklin's Join, or Die cartoon of 1754.
- It is filed here under Historical Flags, one of the categories of flag that belong to no country.
Frequently asked questions about the Gadsden Flag
What is the Gadsden Flag?
A historical American flag from 1775, designed by Continental Congress delegate Christopher Gadsden.
Whose flag is the Gadsden Flag?
It is the flag of the American Revolution, used in the Thirteen Colonies.
When was the American Revolution founded?
The American Revolution was founded in 1775 by Christopher Gadsden.
When was the Gadsden Flag adopted?
The Gadsden Flag was adopted in 1775 and was designed by Christopher Gadsden.
What do the colours of the Gadsden Flag mean?
Yellow for the field and dark brown for the snake and lettering.
What do the symbols on the Gadsden Flag mean?
Timber rattlesnake — An early American symbol of vigilance, drawn from Benjamin Franklin’s "Join, or Die" cartoon. Motto — A warning against interference.
What are the proportions of the Gadsden Flag?
It is normally drawn to a ratio of 2:3, which makes it rectangular.
What else is worth knowing about the Gadsden Flag?
The rattlesnake had been a symbol of the colonies since Benjamin Franklin's Join, or Die cartoon of 1754.
Is the Gadsden Flag a national flag?
No. It is not the flag of any sovereign state and is listed here under Historical Flags.
How many colours are on the Gadsden Flag?
It uses 2 colours: yellow and dark brown.
