 The state 's motto , Sic Semper Tyrannis , translates from Latin as " Thus Always to Tyrants " , and is used on the state seal , which is then used on the flag . While the seal was designed in 1776 , and the flag was first used in the 1830s , both were made official in 1930 . The majority of the other symbols were made official in the late 20th century . The Virginia reel is among the square dances classified as the state dance . In March 2015 , after 20 years without a state song , Virginia received two : " Our Great Virginia " ( official traditional state song ) and " Sweet Virginia Breeze " ( official popular state song ) . In 1940 , Virginia made " Carry Me Back to Old Virginny " the state song , but it was retired in 1997 and reclassified as the state song emeritus . 
