Celebrate Flag Day
Celebrate the birthday of Philadelphia's Civic Flag every March 27th!
 
TheSealofPhiladelphia The Seal of Philadelphia(1874)

The seal was adopted by City Council on Feb. 14, 1874. Its centerpiece is a shield displaying a ship under full sail at the bottom and a plow above.

The ship was the symbol of the Free Society of Traders, a London business organization that promoted the colony of Pennsylvania (and gave its name to Society Hill). The vessel also represents commerce. The plow is the symbol that WIlliam Penn assigned to Chester County. It is also a general heraldic symbol for agriculture, which was very important in the settlement and history of Pennsylvania.

Two Female figures flank the shield. The one on the left wears an olive garland and holds a scroll inscribed with an anchor. The garland signifies peace, and the anchor also signifies hope. The figure on the right holds a cornucopia, symbolizing abundance.

Above the shield appears a bent arm holding the scales of justice and mercy, and below is a macaronic phrase containing the greek and latin words Philadelphia Maneto - "Let Brotherly Love Continue". The words come from the New Testament - Hebrews 13:1 - and are said to have been uttered by the last of the Penns visiting Philadelphia in the 19th century.

The seal's blue and gold are the city's colors. Blue the color of the heavens, stands for aspiration. Gold signifies high worth.



Philadelphia Flag

The FIRST City Flag in America!

March 27, 1895

Philadelphia Maneto

Partners for Civic Pride (501C3) is a nonprofit organization that works to raise social capital by connecting Philadelphians through use of their Flag and awareness of its meaning and legacy. PHILADELPHIA MANETO, which means "LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE" is depicted on The Philadelphia Civic Flag along with four embedded symbols of Peace, Hope, Justice and Prosperity. PFCP believes that by pursuing, promoting, and celebrating the message and the four founding principles, The Philadelphia Flag helps foster pride in Philadelphia and serves as a way to keep people connected. Philadelphia is The Birthplace of what guides us as a Country. It also holds the prestige of having the 1st City Flag in America with its embedded message and symbols serving as yet another Roadmap. A Roadmap to Unity for our City.

From Our PFCP Film Archive

Philadelphia Maneto

those who are doing their part to bring the temperature down in our City and who are living up to all the promise encoded in our Philly Flag.

Philadelphia Flag
Philadelphia Flag

Founder Vision

In 1998 Brenda Exon discovered that Philadelphia has a flag. These were her thoughts at that time: I see an opportunity for a citywide “Philly FLAG Campaign” to promote civic pride via the Philadelphia Civic Flag with its meaningful motto and powerful symbols. This new “civic experiment ” may foster the spirit of the original Holy Experiment of William Penn, who named his new, green country town, Brotherly Love, believing that a city founded with Love will be a good and just place to live.

Philadelphia Flag

BIG Thank You to our

2020 TITLE SPONSOR

H. CHASE LENFEST FAMILY FUND

This extraordinary Philadelphian carries forth the proud legacy of his family by dedicating his time and resources for the betterment of Philadelphia. Chase’s vision for his North 10 Project is to serve the Hunting Park and East Tioga Communities by facilitating economic growth, increasing housing options, enhancing learning opportunities and promoting wellness in order for current residents and future generations to live happy, healthy and civically engaged lives.

His civic engagement extends beyond his North 10 Initiative in his desire to weave into the fabric of our communities the messages embedded on our Philly Flag. Chase believes these messages of Philadelphia Maneto, which means “Let Brotherly Love Continue” and its four embedded symbols on The Flag of Peace, Hope, Justice and Prosperity are concepts that can Unite and build Social Capital, Community Connectedness. Chase is aware that high levels of social capital in a community equate to higher educational achievement, less crime and violence, faster economic growth and better performing Governmental Institutions. His commitment and generosity help make Philly Flag Fest and The Philadelphia Maneto Awards possible…continuing the Legacy his Father began.

Philadelphia Flag
Philadelphia Flag