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Newark, New Jersey (U.S.)

Essex County

21:32 image(s) by permission of David B. Martucci
image(s) from American City Flags, Raven 9-10 (2002-2003), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright.

Current Flag
Former Flag
Seal

See also:

Colleges and universities:
Essex County
County and Municipal flags of New Jersey
New Jersey
United States of America

Newark is the county seat of Essex County and the largest city in the state of New Jersey.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 29 March 2008

Current Flag

Text and image(s) from American City Flags, Raven 9-10 (2002-2003), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright. Image(s) from American City Flags by permission of David B. Martucci.

Design

Newark's flag places the coat of arms of the city, with a scroll below in gold, on a white field surrounded by a "Jersey blue" border. The scroll reads NEWARK, NEW JERSEY and, below, INCORPORATED 1836, all in black. The coat of arms consists of a female figure on the fly side, representing Justice. She is sitting facing the fly with her right hand on a sword hilt and with her left hand holding a balance scale. The female figure on the hoist side, Liberty, stands facing the fly and rests her left arm on a fasces, while cradling an olive branch. Her right arm upholds a rod with a cap of liberty on it. Behind her is a cornucopia filled with fruit and vegetables. Between the two female figures is a shield with three plows aligned vertically. Above the shield is a heraldic wreath with a right arm holding a hammer.
James Croft, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Symbolism

The three plows derive from the New Jersey coat of arms and, along with the cornucopia, symbolize agriculture, for which New Jersey was once famous (the state's nickname is the "Garden State"). The two female figures each bear symbols reflecting their characters: Liberty with a wreath and fasces, Justice with a sword and balance scale. The image of Liberty probably comes from the state seal of New Jersey. The arm holding the hammer is a symbol of industry, as Newark, New Jersey's largest city, is an important manufacturing center.
James Croft, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Selection

Unknown. Adopted: 27 March 1916 (official)
James Croft, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Designer

Unknown.
James Croft, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

More about the Flag

The current flag design does not comply with the city ordinance of 27 March 1916. Two dates are missing from the scroll (see "Former Flag"). Another variant design in the mayor's office and council chambers includes in large blue lettering below the scroll NEWARK, NEW JERSEY and on the line below in smaller letters, INCORPORATED 1836, repeating the information on the scroll.
James Croft, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Former Flag

21:32 image(s) by permission of David B. Martucci
image(s) from American City Flags, Raven 9-10 (2002-2003), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright.

In 1916, the 250th anniversary of the founding of Newark (originally named Milford), by Puritans from Connecticut, the city adopted an official flag to coincide with the celebrations. The flag is exactly like the current flag, except with 1666, the city's founding date, on the left loop of the scroll and 1916, its 250th anniversary, on the right loop of the scroll.
James Croft, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Seal

image located by Paul Bassinson, 11 October 2019

Source: https://assets-global.website-files.com
Paul Bassinson, 11 October 2019