The coat of arms is based on the 1711 seal of the colony of Connecticut. Its three grapevines are thought to represent either the colonies of Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook or the first three area towns established by Europeans (Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor). The significance of the design is indicated by the Latin inscription below, "Qui transtulit sustinet" ("He who transplanted still sustains"), a motto based on the 80th psalm of the Bible. The basic flag design in use today was first displayed at the time of the American Revolution (1775-83), although the background color then was red. During the Civil War (1861-65) blue was the standard background shade for regimental colors, and many citizens thought of those military flags as representative of the state. Consequently, a flag with a blue background was later flown over the state capitol during sessions of the legislature. That design was the basis for a recommendation to the legislature that resulted in the adoption of the current flag in June 1897.

Connecticut Official name: State of Connecticut. State nickname: the Constitution State. Total area: 5,544 sq mi, 14,358 sq km. Population (2000): 3,405,565. Population by race, origin (1997): white non-Hispanic 81.3%; white Hispanic 7.0%; black (including Hispanic) 9.2%; American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut 0.2%; Asian/Pacific Islander 2.3%. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 4.5 (U.S. avg. 6.0). Gross domestic (state) product (1996): U.S.$124,000,000,000 (U.S.$37,960 per capita). Land use (1992): federal land 0.5%; non-federal land 99.5%, of which forest 57.3%, cropland 7.5%, pasture 3.6%, rangeland 0.0%, urban and built-up areas 26.6%, other 4.5%. Exports by state (1997): U.S.$7,058,000,000; percent of national total 1.15%.

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