In the sea of American revolutionary imagery, few icons are as instantly recognizable—and as politically charged—as the Gadsden flag. With its coiled rattlesnake poised to strike and the bold warning “DON’T TREAD ON ME,” the flag has come to represent fierce independence, limited government, and resistance to tyranny. But its legacy is far more complex than its modern usage suggests. To understand the Gadsden flag’s historical importance and its evolving symbolism, one must revisit the crucible of the American Revolution and trace its path through two and a half centuries of conflict, protest, and patriotism.
The Birth of a Symbol: Colonial Resistance and the American Revolution
The Gadsden flag was born out of the American colonies’ resistance to British rule. In 1775, as tensions between Great Britain and its American colonies reached a boiling point, the Continental Congress authorized the formation of the Continental Marines—the forerunner to the United States Marine Corps. A navy was also established to disrupt British supply lines and assert colonial autonomy at sea.
Christopher Gadsden, a Charleston-born merchant, legislator, and outspoken patriot, was appointed a delegate to the Continental Congress. Known for his uncompromising support of independence and strong opposition to British interference, Gadsden was a key figure in South Carolina’s revolutionary politics. Drawing inspiration from popular imagery and anti-British sentiment of the time, he designed a flag that would encapsulate the American spirit of defiance.
The flag he presented to the Continental Navy featured a striking image: a yellow field with a timber rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Beneath it were the bold words: “DON’T TREAD ON ME.” The symbolism was immediate and powerful. The rattlesnake, native to the American colonies, was considered a uniquely American creature. Unlike European heraldry that featured lions or eagles, the rattlesnake was used by colonists as a metaphor for vigilance and retaliation. Benjamin Franklin had earlier praised the rattlesnake in an essay, describing it as a creature that “never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders,” making it a fitting emblem for a people defending their liberty.
The Gadsden flag was quickly adopted by the Continental Marines and flown on the first American naval vessels. Though it was never an official national flag, it became one of the most enduring symbols of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War Usage and Early Interpretations
During the war for independence, the Gadsden flag became a rallying symbol among patriots. It appeared on drums, uniforms, and flags flown by various militias. While the famous “Stars and Stripes” would eventually become the national flag, the Gadsden design retained its importance as a symbol of the colonies’ desire to live free from oppressive rule.
Its message was both a warning and a promise. “DON’T TREAD ON ME” was not a plea but a declaration: the new American spirit would not bow to tyranny, foreign or domestic. For the Continental Marines, the flag conveyed their mission—to protect American liberty and sovereignty from imperial overreach.
After the war, the flag faded somewhat from popular consciousness, as the fledgling nation focused on establishing governance and unity. However, it would never vanish entirely. Its revival in later centuries reflected not only a resurgence of revolutionary values but also deepening political divides.
A Rebirth in the Modern Age: Libertarianism, Patriot Movements, and the Tea Party
The Gadsden flag experienced a renaissance in the latter half of the 20th century, especially among libertarians, constitutional originalists, and limited-government advocates. For them, the flag served as a potent reminder of America’s founding principles: individual liberty, decentralized power, and personal responsibility.
In the 1970s and 1980s, as distrust in federal institutions grew, the Gadsden flag was adopted by citizens who feared government encroachment on civil liberties. It appeared in protests against high taxation, gun control legislation, and expanded regulatory power. Often displayed alongside the U.S. Constitution or portraits of the Founding Fathers, it became a shorthand for anti-statist sentiment.
Its most prominent reappearance came in the early 21st century, during the rise of the Tea Party movement, a conservative political movement that emerged in 2009 in response to perceived government overreach, ballooning federal debt, and the Affordable Care Act. Protesters at Tea Party rallies frequently waved the Gadsden flag, wearing its image on t-shirts and patches. For them, it symbolized resistance to centralized authority and allegiance to the Constitution’s original intent.
However, the resurgence of the Gadsden flag also sparked controversy. While many viewed it as a legitimate expression of patriotism, critics accused some of using it as a cover for extremism, xenophobia, or veiled threats against government authority.
Cultural Tensions and Political Weaponization
In recent years, the Gadsden flag has become increasingly polarizing. While many Americans continue to see it as a symbol of freedom and constitutional principles, others view it as associated with radical right-wing movements or militia groups.
Its presence at armed standoffs, anti-government demonstrations, and even the January 6th Capitol riot has contributed to its complex public image. In those contexts, the flag was seen not just as a protest against government policies, but as a rejection of lawful democratic processes. Consequently, some institutions—including certain government agencies and workplaces—have restricted its display due to concerns over its perceived associations.
Yet defenders of the flag argue that its meaning should not be co-opted by extremist groups. They assert that it predates modern political divisions and has nothing inherently racist, violent, or exclusionary in its design. For them, to ban the Gadsden flag is to misunderstand—or even erase—a fundamental symbol of American resistance to tyranny.
The Gadsden Flag in Law and Public Life
As the flag’s presence grew in public protests and political statements, legal battles emerged over its use. In 2014, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received a complaint alleging that the flag was a racially offensive symbol when displayed in a workplace. The case sparked national debate over whether a Revolutionary-era emblem could be considered a symbol of hate depending on the context.
The EEOC clarified that the flag itself is not inherently racist, but its usage in certain circumstances could violate civil rights laws depending on the broader context. Legal scholars have since debated the implications of such rulings, emphasizing the delicate balance between freedom of expression and protection from harassment.
Meanwhile, states like Missouri, Arizona, and South Carolina have introduced bills to protect the public display of the Gadsden flag, declaring it a historical emblem and part of their state heritage. In these contexts, the flag continues to enjoy strong support from conservative legislators and patriotic Americans who see it as a bulwark against government overreach.
A Symbol Reclaimed or Divided?
The duality of the Gadsden flag’s image today reflects broader tensions in American political culture. For one group, the flag remains a proud emblem of American independence and civil liberty. For another, it has been corrupted by associations with division, armed resistance, and political extremism.
This cultural tug-of-war underscores the difficulty of maintaining shared symbols in a deeply polarized society. Much like the Confederate flag—which has been widely discredited and removed from public spaces—the Gadsden flag now exists in a gray area: legally permissible, historically significant, but often socially contentious.
Conclusion: The Serpent’s Warning Endures
More than 250 years since it was first hoisted aboard a naval vessel, the Gadsden flag continues to fly—on porches, bumper stickers, rifles, and statehouses. Its meaning has evolved with time, shaped by generations of Americans who have claimed it as their own. Whether seen as a timeless warning against tyranny or a provocative political emblem, the coiled rattlesnake still demands attention.
At its core, the flag captures an essential American impulse: the desire for freedom and the readiness to defend it. Christopher Gadsden may not have envisioned its modern political implications, but he certainly understood the importance of symbols in uniting people behind a cause.
In today’s era of ideological strife, the challenge is to ensure that such symbols are not wielded as weapons of division but respected as artifacts of the revolutionary spirit that birthed a nation. As Americans continue to define and redefine the meaning of patriotism, the Gadsden flag remains a powerful—if controversial—reminder of the nation’s unrelenting fight for liberty.
