This web page describes important flags associated with Georgia's history as a territorial claim by rival European powers, as a British colony, and finally as a state. It is not meant to be a complete catalog of every flag that has flown in Georgia. Many flags existed in different versions, especially before 1879, when the General Assembly adopted Georgia's first official state flag.
Flags consist of symbolic designs and colors portrayed on cloth or other material.
As a coat of arms is a visual representation of a person or family, a flag usually represents a nation, state, or other political region. Distinctive flags and banners also symbolize monarchs, presidents, branches of the military, and some agencies of government. While flags are important as political symbols, they serve other purposes as well. Historically, flags were essential at sea to identify the nationality of a vessel, as well as to communicate between ships. On the battlefield, flags identified military units and were used to rally troops at crucial times.