Virginia, Commonwealth of

Sic Semper Tyrannis – Thus ever to tyrants

The phrase was recommended by George Mason to the Virginia Convention in 1776, as part of the commonwealth’s seal. The Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia shows Virtue, spear in hand, with her foot on the prostrate form of Tyranny, whose crown lies nearby. The Seal was planned by Mason and designed by George Wythe, who signed the United States Declaration of Independence and taught law to Thomas Jefferson. A common joke in Virginia, referencing the image on the seal and dating at least as far back as the Civil War, is that “Sic semper tyrannis” actually means “Get your foot off my neck.”

Wikipedia

The obverse of the seal is the official seal of Virginia and is used on all the official papers and documents of the Commonwealth’s government, as well as on its flag. On this side, a female figure personifying the Roman virtue of Virtus was selected to represent the genius of the new Commonwealth. Virginia’s Virtus is a figure of peace, standing in a pose which indicates a battle already won. She rests on her long spear, its point turned downward to the ground. Her other weapon, a parazonium, is sheathed; it is the sword of authority rather than that of combat. Virtus is typically shown with a bare left breast; this is commonly recognized as the only use of nudity among the seals of the U.S. states.

Tyranny lies prostrate beneath the foot of Virtus, symbolizing Great Britain’s defeat by Virginia. The royal crown which has fallen to the ground beside him symbolizes the new republic’s release from the monarchical control of Great Britain; Virginia and New York are the only U.S. states with a flag or seal displaying a crown. The broken chain in Tyranny’s left hand represents Virginia’s freedom from Britain’s restriction of colonial trade and westward expansion. The useless whip in his right hand signifies Virginia’s relief from the torturing whip of acts of punishment such as the Intolerable Acts. His robe is purple, a reference to Julius Caesar and the Etruscan king of Rome, Tarquinius Priscus.

The motto selected for the obverse of the Virginia seal is Sic semper tyrannis, or in English, Thus always to tyrants. This is a derived quote from the famous events in Roman history, attributed to Brutus upon his participation in the slaying of Julius Caesar. (Caesar had been named perpetual dictator of Rome in the same year, and some Senators believed had ambitions to abolish the Roman Republic and establish himself as a monarch.)

Seal of Virginia – Wikipedia

Colonial Williamsburg – YouTube Channel

Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia – Encyclopedia Virginia

Commonwealth of Virginia flag

The Story of Virginia – VA Historical Society

Virginia Historical Society – YouTube Channel

Virginia – History Channel

Virginia – Wikipedia

Four of the first five presidents were Virginians: George Washington, the “Father of his country”; and after 1800, “The Virginia Dynasty” of presidents for 24 years: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

History of Virginia – Wikipedia

Encyclopedia Virginia

The symbols of Virginia:

• Flower and tree: American Dogwood (Cornus florida)
• Bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
• Dog: American Foxhound (Canis lupis familiaris)
• Fresh Water Fish: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
• Salt Water Fish: Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)
• Shell: Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
• Song: Traditional: “Our Great Virginia“; Popular: “Sweet Virginia Breeze” (Emeritus State Song: “Carry Me Back To Old Virginia“)
• Slogan: “Virginia is for Lovers”
• Nickname: Old Dominion
• VA Founding Fathers: John Blair; James Madison; George Mason; James McClurg; Edmund Randolph; George Washington; George Whythe

Virginia State Flag car bumper sticker 5 x 4 inches

Virginia State Flag 4×6 ft. Nylon SolarGuard Nyl-Glo 100% Made in USA to Official State Design Specifications

Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer

Backroads & Byways of Virginia: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions