The Pine Tree Flag: From Revolutionary War Ensign to Modern Political Flashpoint
In short: Before it became a contemporary symbol of political controversy, the Pine Tree Flag was a vital emblem of the American Revolution. Commissioned by George Washington for his early naval fleet, the banner combined a traditional New England tree with a radical philosophical call for the right of revolution.
The Pine Tree Flag, often called the An Appeal to Heaven flag, emerged as a potent symbol during the American Revolution. Its design, featuring a pine tree and the motto An Appeal to Heaven, drew directly from John Locke’s 1690 Second Treatise on Government. Locke used the phrase to describe a final, divinely sanctioned right of the people to resist power when no earthly authority remains to provide justice. This philosophy resonated deeply with colonial leaders, who cited Locke more frequently than any other political philosopher between 1760 and 1776.
In October 1775, Colonel Joseph Reed suggested the flag for a squadron of six schooners commissioned by George Washington to intercept British ships. The pine tree itself held dual significance: it was a traditional New England icon and a symbol of wealth, as the region’s tall pines were essential for Royal Navy masts. The flag was widely used to muster troops and appeared in various forms, including on early Massachusetts coinage and in paintings depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill.
In recent decades, the flag’s meaning has shifted. Since 2013, it has been adopted by Christian nationalist movements, notably after cleric Dutch Sheets promoted it as a symbol for restoring America to a Christian nation. This modern usage has sparked significant debate, particularly after the flag appeared at the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and was flown at the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in 2023. While the flag remains a historic icon in New England—and even served as the inspiration for a 2024 Maine referendum to readopt it as the state flag—its association with contemporary political movements has transformed it from a purely historical artifact into a lightning rod for modern American cultural and legal disputes.
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