The big apple state flag options the state’s coat of arms on a field of deep blue. Although the state flag wasn’t adopted till 1901, New York‘s coat of arms was formally adopted in 1778 (the state seal additionally options New York‘s coat of arms).
The center protects displays a spar ship and a sailing ship on the stream|Hudson|Hudson River|river} river (symbols of Midland and foreign commerce), finite by a grasslike shore and a mountain range in the background with the sun rising behind it. A banner below shows New York’s state shibboleth (“Excelsior,” Latin for “ever upward”).
Symbolism:
Bald eagle: The image of us of America
Native American: The original inhabitants of the area
Seaman: Symbolizes the colonizers of the area
Beaver: Symbolizes the Dutch West Asian country Company, that was the primary company in big apple (originally called Nieuw Amsterdam). Also the official animal of New York State.
Windmill: Remembers the Dutch history of the town and therefore the prosperous trade of edge flour.
Flour barrels: The industry
1625: The year within which town of latest Dutch capital was based by the Dutch
History of The Flag
A 17th-century settler named Jonas Bronck, who owned land in what is today the Bronx in New York City, had a coat of arms showing a rising sun. This may have influenced the state seal of New York and its coat of arms, adopted in 1778.
Alternatively, the sun symbol may have been selected in honor of the Duke of York, who ruled the English colony after 1664. (The sun was the badge of the dukes of York).
In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial, and Canadian provincial flags. After the survey was completed, NAVA members chose the flag of New York to be ranked 53rd out of the 72.

A banner resembling the current State Flag of New York was carried by a military unit during the American Revolution (1775–83). In 1858 a similar flag, but with a background of white, was recognized as the State Flag of New York.
The city flag design was changed in 1977 to reflect a newly adopted city seal design. The only change that was made was the date on the seal. The 1915 Flag of New York and seal included the year that the England took possession of the area that is now New York City, 1664.
The seal was amended to change that date to the year 1624 when the Dutch legally chartered the area.
Facts About New York
Area of New York: 49,108 sq. miles
Capital: Albany
Major Products: dairy, maize, wheat, fruit, maple syrup, titanium, clothing, machinery, processed foods
State Motto: Excelsior (“Ever higher”)