What is serapis flag?

The Serapis Flag was a naval flag used by the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. It featured a design with thirteen red and white stripes, representing the original thirteen colonies, and a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike in the center. The rattlesnake was a symbol of resistance and defiance during the war and became a popular motif on flags and other patriotic symbols.

The Serapis Flag became famous during the Battle of Flamborough Head in 1779 when John Paul Jones, a naval commander in the Continental Navy, captured the British ship HMS Serapis. During the battle, the two ships were locked in combat and the Serapis Flag was flown by Jones' ship, the Bonhomme Richard. Despite being heavily damaged, Jones was able to defeat the British ship and capture it, solidifying his reputation as a skilled naval commander.

The Serapis Flag remains a popular symbol of American patriotism and the spirit of defiance against tyranny. It is often used in reenactments of the Revolutionary War and as a historical representation of the struggle for independence.