Gadsden “Don’t Tread On Me” Rattlesnake Printed Nylon Flag
American-made printed nylon 3×5 Gadsden flag. Nylon flags have brilliant colors and are lightweight enough to fly in a light breeze. The image is viewable from both sides of the flag and the “Don’t Tread on Me” lettering reads correctly from one side only.
- Made in the USA
- Fade-resistant, 100% 200 denier nylon fabric that flys easily in a light breeze
- The artwork is dyed for long-lasting, bright colors
- 4 rows of stitching on the fly end to prevent premature fraying
- Finished with canvas header and 2 brass grommets
- Flag size: 3′ x 5′
History and meaning of the Gadsden flag
Designed by Christopher Gadsden, the Gadsden flag has been referred to as the 1st Marine Corps flag because Gadsden was a member of the three-man Marine committee assembled by Congress in October of 1775 to raise five companies of Marines to man the warship “Alfred” and its sister ships. It is generally accepted by most historians that Christopher Gadsden presented the flag to Esek Hopkins, commander-in-chief of the Navy, and it was flown as his personal standard on the man-of-war, Alfred.
The presence of rattlesnake imagery during the American Revolution is attributable to the fact that rattlesnakes were found nowhere else in the world, except in North America and they displayed unique courage that could be compared to the early American spirit. The rattlesnake never starts a fight, but will not surrender once engaged. She never attacks without giving ample warning but strikes with deadly consequences. The snake depicted on the flag has 13 rattles, representing the unity of the 13 colonies. One rattle by itself is incapable of producing a sound, but all 13 together would strike fear in the heart of the boldest of men.
The Gadsden flag as well as other American revolutionary war era imagery has recently been revived to represent grassroots American resistance to the ever-increasing size and scope of government and its overreach.
