Flag History
The buff color of this flag represents the coats of the uniforms that General George Washington and New Jersey troops wore during the Revolutionary War. The sate seal, designed by Eugene de Simitiere, specifically avoided any signs of British dominance. The two female figures are Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, representing prosperity and abundance and Liberty, carrying a pole bearing a liberty cap, which was also a symbol of freedom. The three plows within the shield also stand for agriculture, and above it, the horse's head, represents strength and speed in peace and war. It is now the state animal.
Flag Adopted: 1896
State Nickname: The Garden State
State Motto: Liberty and prosperity
Area: 7,787 square miles
Approximate Population: 7.4 million
Capital: Trenton
Largest City: Newark
Major Products: chemicals, machinery, tomatoes, corn, fruit
State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch
State Tree: Red Oak
State Flower: Purple Violet