The phrase “Don’t Tread on Me” isn’t just some old slogan—it’s a battle cry for freedom. It’s a symbol of independence, defiance, and a refusal to be controlled. You’ve probably seen it on flags, bumper stickers, and even T-shirts, but do you really know the story behind it?
Let’s take a closer look at the Gadsden Flag, its history, and why it still resonates today.
What Does the Gadsden Flag Represent?
The Gadsden Flag is one of the most recognizable symbols of American liberty. That bright yellow background, coiled rattlesnake, and the words “Don’t Tread on Me” send a clear message: We are ready to defend our freedom.
Originally designed during the American Revolution, this flag isn’t just about patriotism—it’s about standing up against tyranny, staying vigilant, and making sure no one tramples on individual rights.
The History Behind the Gadsden Flag
The Gadsden Flag dates back to 1775, right at the start of the American Revolution. Christopher Gadsden, a soldier and politician from South Carolina, designed the flag as a symbol of resistance. It was first used by the Continental Marines, America’s first naval force, as they prepared to take on the British.
But why a rattlesnake? Well, back in colonial times, the rattlesnake was often used to represent the American spirit. It’s native to North America, doesn’t attack unless provoked, and gives plenty of warning before striking—qualities that perfectly reflected the mindset of the American colonies.
Over time, the Gadsden Flag became a lasting symbol of American independence, freedom, and self-reliance. Even today, people wave this flag to make a statement about resisting government overreach and standing up for their rights.
“Join or Die” – The Origins of the Rattlesnake Symbol
Before the Gadsden Flag, another famous image used a snake to send a powerful message: Benjamin Franklin’s “Join or Die” cartoon.
Published in 1754, Franklin’s illustration featured a rattlesnake cut into eight pieces, each labeled with the initials of a colony (or region). The message? The colonies needed to unite or risk being defeated.
At the time, Franklin was urging the colonies to work together against French forces during the French and Indian War. However, the image took on a new meaning during the American Revolution—a warning that the colonies had to stand together against British rule.
How “Join or Die” Connects to the Gadsden Flag
While “Join or Die” was originally about colonial unity, its deeper message—strength in numbers and a fierce will to survive—perfectly connects to the spirit of the Gadsden Flag.
- Franklin’s segmented snake represented a divided people who needed to unite.
- The coiled rattlesnake on the Gadsden Flag is that same spirit, evolved—it’s now whole, ready to strike, and warning its enemies: Do not tread on us.
The Gadsden Flag took the original idea of colonial unity and survival and transformed it into a broader symbol of American resistance and self-defense.
What Does the Snake Symbolize?
The rattlesnake on the Gadsden Flag isn’t just there to look cool—it has deep meaning:
- Vigilance: A rattlesnake is always aware of its surroundings and won’t hesitate to defend itself. This represents the need for Americans to stay alert and protect their freedoms.
- Independence: Unlike other animals, a rattlesnake is self-reliant. It doesn’t rely on a pack or herd, much like how the colonies wanted to govern themselves without interference.
- Defensive Posture: The rattlesnake doesn’t go looking for trouble—but if you step on it, you’ll regret it. This mirrors how the early Americans weren’t the aggressors but were more than willing to fight for their rights.
This symbolism goes all the way back to Benjamin Franklin’s famous “Join or Die” cartoon, which depicted a segmented snake as a call for colonial unity. Over time, that imagery evolved into what we now see on the Gadsden Flag—a bold symbol of defiance and self-determination.
Why the Gadsden Flag Still Matters
Even after nearly 250 years, the Gadsden Flag still holds strong. It has appeared in military units, political movements, and cultural statements, always standing as a reminder of the fight for liberty.
While its meaning has evolved in different contexts, the core message remains: Don’t mess with freedom-loving people.
So the next time you see that coiled rattlesnake, you’ll know exactly what it represents—a warning, a statement, and a promise that we won’t back down.
Yep
Excellent article. I particularly like the explanation of the rattlesnake’s attributes and how they correlate to the American independent spirit. I know rattlesnakes well due to my locale.
Not many rattlesnakes around here. Most of them said Don’t Chop My Head Off With Grandma’s Hoe
The State of Montana has an official license plate, celebrating the “Gadsen Purchase.” https://1776foundation.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1776-FoundationLicensp-Plate.jpg
I’m running “No Step On Snek” on my holster fanny pack :). Our kind knows what it is, normals don’t.
Other graphic has a peace sign in it because it’s where I keep my piece. Bad pun plus cultural camo.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17OyfoJ1UxQNDv9K5iwDKktX326NSmU9D/view?usp=drivesdk
Unfortunately, the people who display it generally have an IQ just slightly above that of an average box of rocks so, much like the Confederate battle flag, it’s more recognized as a symbol of southern red-neck idocy than a symbol of freedom.
bs…Once upon a time when Blacks said something like, Don’t Thread On Me they were beaten by their democRat slave masters.
May I suggest that you widen your knowledge about this period of history with a non revisioned period documented research based study to challenge some of your stereotyped opinions.
“Defending Dixie’s Land” by the Vermont native Isaac Bishop will surprise you with slave narratives rarely read by our era among other areas of interest.
“non revisioned period documented research“
Yep, more Cristo-fascist propaganda bullshit.
“Defending Dixie’s Land” by the Vermont native Isaac Bishop”
Of course, the author won’t tell you his real name, because it’s all a fabrication:
“Written under my pen name Isaac C. Bishop.“
ttps://christianwriters.com/threads/my-new-book-defending-dixies-land-what-every-american-should-know-about-the-south-and-the-civil-war.23806/
greta mynberg go hawl with your hamas buddies
Give him the slightest thing he can spiral into a psychotic breakdown and he’ll do it 100% guaranteed.
Back to absolutely burning time arguing with the dregs of reasoned debate on a website you inherently disagree with, huh miner?
You were doing so well, too. I guess the call of the void is mighty appealing to people with an argumentative personality and also a visceral need to argue with dumb people in a house you don’t even live in.
Because nothing defeats political zealotry more than the exact same level of political zealotry of a different flavor.
Touch grass.
“the slightest thing”
Well, rewriting the history of American Civil War is not exactly trivial.
“arguing with the dregs“
I wouldn’t call them the dregs, folks who have been snookered by a NYC confidence Man deserve the truth.
“a website you inherently disagree with“
No, I don’t disagree with TTAG, I just have different ideas about some issues related to firearms.
“need to argue with dumb people“
Again, I wouldn’t call them dumb, they’ve just been misled by some really slick propaganda, happens all the time. (see Germany, 1933)
“nothing defeats political zealotry”
Actually, I believe the light of truth and factual information is an excellent disinfection to remove the fog of propaganda from an issue.
And I have a personal disagreement with those confederate slavery apologists who pretend the Civil War was about anything but continuing the crime of biblical slavery in the United States.
Yes because we totally present accurate accounts of history in government approved curriculum. No idea if this is accurate but not going to discount it out of hand like I do with your comments.
Yet you have defended every MSM lie pushed for the past seven years. You were still defending Russiagate a few months ago. You’re a proud defender of the government establishment that has been robbing us blind and degrading society for decades.
And remember, it’s only smart to disagree with Miner when 2aYaY does it.
“I wouldn’t call them the dregs, folks who have been snookered by a NYC confidence Man deserve the truth.”
yeah, democrat Mayor Adams did snooker a lot of New Yorkers, so did democrat New York Governor Hochul. And by doing so have endangered thousands of lives and livelihoods.
“democrat Mayor Adams did snooker a lot of New Yorkers“
Actually, I am of the opinion that Adams did indeed engage in a criminal quid pro quo with Donald Trump
Criminal quid pro quo to what, follow the law? Lol good luck with pushing that narrative, illegal aliens have worn out their welcome even here.
“Criminal quid pro quo to what, follow the law?“
No, a quid pro quo to corruptly dismiss Federal charges.
It is the prosecutor’s duty to pursue Justice without fear or favor.
The prosecution should only make a motion for dismissal if they believe the charge is unwarranted or unsupported, not in an effort to coerce the defendant into some action.
Of course, MAGA do not give a shit for ethics or integrity, your basic philosophy is self-interest driven transactional relationships without regard to legality.
After all the sham investigations you are still pushing that garbage? Ok here is where the failure of this political prosecution should give you pause. Your ilk just demonized a black vegan left leaning democratic mayor of NYC. My governor is being pressured by her various paymasters to remove him for daring to cooperate with the most basic enforcement of immigration law. You have no idea what kind of monster your people may have just created as there are few things more motivating in NY than spite. For the sake of the commies they better pray (lol) that Coumo primaries Adams in the upcoming election because those like you haven’t seen retribution like what that man is capable of. Enjoy and not my problem.
“Actually, I am of the opinion that Adams did indeed engage in a criminal quid pro quo with Donald Trump”
like all of your ‘opinions’ Mynr49r, this on from you is false also.
MajorMoron,
And, yet, here you are, posting under a handle. Yes, I and others on here do, too, but . . . we aren’t hypocritical enough to denounce others for using noms de plume (unlike YOU, who are a complete hypocrite liar about EVERYTHING).
So, in closing, BLOW IT OUT YOUR @$$, MajorNitwit.
Mynr just yesterday you were defending the anonymity of authors.
I’m beginning to see why so many posters on ttag dislike you.
I have no problem with anonymous political speech, it’s clearly an opinion.
But I will always call out false representations, and point out the academic bankruptcy of individuals who will claim historical fact and yet not stand behind their writings with their actual name and credentials.
And I haven’t advocated censorship of any books, I am exercising my freedom of speech to call out those who present false narratives to coerce and manipulate others.
So, you’re calling yourself out, miner?
So probably accurate, thanks for the recommendation.
greta mynberg again go hawl somewhere else with your likes. Consider strip clubs with other moms demanding action and maybe you will get a discout there.
You will travel long/far to find as major a moron as miner.
Don’t ba salty
A small nit.
There were several “Confederate Flags” and, of course, each state (and regiment, etc) had their own battle flags.
The flag that is “commonly” referred to as the Confederate Flag is actually the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia (ie, specifically, Gen Robert E. Lee’s flag).
What is “idocy?” You must have high IQ because as a low IQ “southern redneck” I don’t recognize that spelling.
Thats called a “typo” and barking about a typos is almost always a desperate attempt to make of one’s lack of intelligence….as I an certain it is in the case of your comment.
Now you are just being disigneous.
he an certain.
Comes with a sedimentary lifestyle.
“…barking about a typos is almost always a desperate attempt to make of one’s lack of intelligence…”
“A typos”
Okay
Awwwe is BS triggered.
Trump won, and keeps winning. Keep crying loser!
“Even today, people wave this flag to make a statement about resisting government overreach and standing up for their rights”.
“It’s a symbol of independence, defiance, and a refusal to be controlled.”
Nothing like a Gadsden flag license plate bought from the government to show’em whose boss.
My Gadsden flag flag says Made in China.
Good bet the coolies are not able to look up “Gadsen Flag” on the chicom google.
“coolies are not able to look up“
They know exactly what the flag means, it gives them an extra chuckle as they sell you their slave labor products.
They are thrilled that MAGA continues to purchase CCCP blood goods from their retail division ‘Walmart’.
“On March 29, 2017, Ivanka Trump, the eldest daughter of President Trump, became an official government employee, joining her husband, Jared Kushner, as an adviser to her father.
The day before that appointment, Ivanka applied for 17 new trademarks with the Chinese government.
In early May of 2018, ZTE, a Chinese electronics maker, said that it had halted “major operating activities” after being penalized by the United States Department of Commerce for breaking sanctions and selling electronics to Iran and North Korea.
Yet, in mid-May, President Trump surprisingly reversed course when he indicated a willingness to rethink the punishment and vowed to work with Chinese President Xi Jinping to prevent the collapse of the ZTE, which employs 75,000 people, with Trump tweeting, “Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!”
That same month, May of 2018, amid tense trade negotiations between China and the United States, China approved seven Ivanka trademarks, according to Alexander’s book, White House, Inc.“
Lots of Gadsden Flag license plates in the Northern Virginia area (including mine). I mean, I get your point, and it is valid; the alternative would be what, though? Not have a license plate?
The same as a good citizen today.
I purchased a stripped Anderson lower receiver unaware it had an engraved white outlined Gadsten Flag. Waaaay too much bling for me so with a toothbrush and Alumium-black I scrubbed the bling off or turned it black, engraving looks better being unburdened by what has been 🙂
“…engraving looks better being unburdened by what has been 🙂”
For those unaware, the whole “unburdened by what has been” thing Cackles loved to say in the election has very dark Marxist origins.
Dark, as in, it’s pining for exterminating your enemies. They can’t be a burden on you if they’re dead. I don’t want them dead, someone needs to do the menial distasteful work I don’t want to do… 😉
(Google ‘unburdened by what has been’ and see for yourself, they want us literally dead…)
no doubt. kinda scary how two of the most hideously repulsive individuals in existence are so closely referenced, i.e. “cackles” and “cankles.”
What does Gadsden Flag think about Gadsden Flag?
you gotta axe?
Xdduly, the author is spot on about the attitude of a rattlesnake. The biggest one I ever caught alive was 7′ 7″ long. I had a buddy’s help. That snake was pissed! Anyway, after catching the snake we realized we didn’t have anything to put it in. So I stabbed it in the head with my pocket knife. Scared my wife with it, skinned it and tanned the hide and ate it. Fried rattlesnake is better than fried gator tail. Just one Florida Cracker’s opinion.
🙂👍
That snake would have won big money at the Rattlesnake Roundup.
I have noticed that the people who hate the Gadsden flag and also hate the confederate battle flag. Those folks also hate the second amendment.
people who hate the Gadsden flag generally hate it because it stands for something in concept that’s the opposite of what they stand for – overall the concept is one of Independence and Liberty. The ones who hate it are generally either ‘authoritarian tyranny’ orientated or ‘subservience to authoritarian tyranny’ orientated – like most radical extremist left wingers are, for example Mynr49r (AKA ‘Miner -49er’, AKA ‘Missy12’) in his defense of an obvious ‘authoritarian tyranny’ of Biden-Harris, he’s the ‘subservience to authoritarian tyranny’ orientated type.
My rule to measure if someone supports liberty and the founding documents. Do they support machine gun ownership in the general population?
Oh……well I guess that’s a good starting point. Would like to see it moved to antitank and light artillery for individual use but there is an argument in regulation for ammo storage. Making sure the blowout only impacts the owners property would be appropriate. But yeah gotta start with more achievable goals and work our way to where we should be.
The only thing that will matter in the end is being able to arm drones.
Or control swarms …….or use of emp. But if we get to that point in governance we are in an entirely different argument where genocide would likely be the primary topic.
to SAFEupstateFML
A hand held communication device with the ability to speak to anyone in the world, was just science fiction in 1966 “Star Trek.” In 1998 soldiers like me in South Korea were calling our families back home in the USA. And it was very very inexpensive. The service quality was outstanding.
And in 1984, a drone with guns killing people was science fiction in the “Terminator” movie. Now, in the reality of the future. They have killed a whole lot of soldiers and civilians too in the 21st century Ukraine War.
I wonder if a future president will give military drones, to the civilian police in this country? Just like Obama gave select fire M16’s to law enforcement all over the USA.
The government doesn’t like civilians with machine guns. And the government doesn’t like you using a 21st century cell phone to pass on “misinformation.”
Swarms of drones can be very entertaining at night time. I guess it all depends on who the user is. Just like using guns. It all depends on who the user is?
A hunter. A competition shooter. A defender or a criminal.
And so far civilians and the police are peacefully using drones.
BTW
In South Africa civilians are using guns mounted on street light poles. Robots with semi automatic guns used to stop property invasions. When a criminal jumps over a private property home fence. They get shot. While the home owner is still sleeping. The rich have them. Just like the rich have machine guns.
The never ending arms race will continue, my point is having the ability to level any base of operations and it’s support units widely distributed and able in some fashion to counter or at least require extensive (and observable) investment to mitigate really is the entry level to ensuring some level of liberty. Remote sentry turrets are neat in a horrifying kind of way, only ever worked with the CROWS system which still needed a human to pull the trigger but could do some level of automatic detection if you set it up just right. Would assume over a decade later AI can easily manage that for a less discriminate detection and engagement profile.
That is why I say a civil war in the USA can’t happen. To much surveillance and too much technology.
There is One chink in the armor, everything runs on electricity now.
Funny thing about electricity is it can be interrupted rather easily requiring a huge logistical burden to counter. Down side is horror beyond most American’s ability to conceive outside of some areas around NC,TN, that were ignored for months. Things can always happen it’s more how desperate/crazy people get first and when the pressure relief valve is needed to calm things down before restarting the agenda.
“Obama gave select fire M16’s to law enforcement all over the USA“
In fact, the militarization of US police started under Republican President Ronald Reagan.
The 1981 Military Cooperation with Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies Act allows the U.S. military to cooperate with domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies. Operations in support of law enforcement include assistance in counter-drug operations, assistance for civil disturbances, special security operations, counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and similar activities. Constitutional and statutory restrictions and corresponding directives and regulations limit the type of support provided in this area. This allows the U.S. military to give law enforcement agencies access to its military bases and its military equipment.[69] The legislation was promoted during the Presidency of Ronald Reagan in the context of the War on drugs, and is considered a part of a general trend towards the militarization of police.”
BS Major Moron.
US cops have had auto weapons since soon after WWI.
How much does Soros crew pay you to infest this site? Standard apparently is a monthly troll fee plus per word.
“In fact, the militarization of US police started under Republican President Ronald Reagan.”
100% false
Militarization of US police started in 1919 when tear gas was banned in warfare by various treaties. Woodrow Wilson, a democrat president, suggested its use by civilian police instead for crowd control and it became available to civilian police from military stockpiles – military munitions.
In the late 1960’s Under Johnson, a democrat president, rubber and plastic bullets that were developed for military use for crowd control were made available to civilian police who (eventually) used them in the 1970’s against demonstrators after the Johnson administration. At the same time under Johnson various military arms such as M-14’s were made available to civilian police. Also, early in his administration,Johnson wanted plans to put down demonstrations by blacks and had the military begin cooperation with civilian police to devise plans to put down an ‘uprising’ of black Americans.
The 1981 Military Cooperation with Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies Act came after all this. The actual militarization of US police started in 1919 under Wilson, then the basic frame work for its application and spread came under Johnson in the 1960’s.
dude
Don’t forget it was Obama who sent thousands of free select fire weapons, and grenade launchers, to civilian police departments all over the country.
“it was Obama who sent thousands of free select fire weapons, and grenade launchers, to civilian police departments“
Was Obama president in 1990?
“The militarization of police escalated with the 1033 program, initiated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, ostensibly to address organized drug trafficking.[75][76] The 1033 Program was documented in action through published and televised images of excessive force and armoured vehicles broadcast during the 2014 protests in Ferguson after Michael Brown was killed by police. The National Defense Authorization Act, as part of the U.S. Government’s Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services (DLA) currently coordinates the transfer of excess military equipment to law enforcement agencies.[77] Since 1997, 8,000 local law enforcement agencies have participated in the militarization program that has transferred $5.1 billion in military hardware from the United States Department of Defense[78] to them.[79] Data from 2006 to 2014 shows that local and state police departments obtained aircraft, helicopters, bayonets, knives, night-vision sniper scopes, tactical armored vehicles or MRAP’s, rifles and weapons including grenade launchers, watercraft, and camouflage gear, among other military equipment.“
to mynr49r
No it was then senator Joe Biden who voted for and President Clinton who signed it into law. The 1033 program that allows transfer of surplus military equipment to american civilian governments.
Now civilians, mostly criminals, had machine guns years before the US government. Criminals had better firepower than the FBI agents in the 1986 Miami shoot out.
After that the FBI jumped into the “new arms race.”
From 2020
h
ttps://reason.com/2020/06/02/joe-biden-basically-admits-libertarians-were-right-all-along-cops-shouldnt-have-military-gear/
Chris sez:
“No it was then senator Joe Biden who voted for and President Clinton who signed it into law“
Sadly, I must inform you that it is a matter of public record:
“The militarization of police escalated with the 1033 program, initiated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.”
Calendars can be difficult to understand, did you remember to make the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar?
Neocons Democrats yeah same party same difference.
That’s all fine and dandy mynr49.
But what I’d like to know is why water doesn’t run up the crack of my ass when I take a shower?
And then came Joe Biden who threatened use of FR-16’s and nuclear weapons against law abiding Americans simply wanting to exercise their 2A rights – and the weaponzation of left-wing led civilian police forces and federal law enforcement against law abiding Americans and killing them using made up justifications and rule-by-fiat to usurp the power and will of congress.
correction: F-16’s not ‘FR-16’s’
““The militarization of police escalated with the 1033 program, initiated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.””
100% false.
Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 1997 – in that was a section numbered ‘1033’. Due to that section numbering the program has been named in the press and elsewhere as the “1033 Program,” which refers to the numbered section of the 1997 NDAA that granted authority to the Secretary of Defense to transfer defense material to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. This happened under the Clinton administration – Clinton served two terms consecutively so he was president from January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001.
The 1033 program was initiated under Clinton.
It is 100% false that the 1033 program was initiated by George H.W. Bush.
As I mentioned above, there were many Confederate Battle Flags.
The one most associated as the “Confederate Flag” was actually the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia – ie, GEN Robert E. Lee’s flag.
I should included their hate for these two flags also includes a hate for the 1st amendment. But they are happy to publicly display s e. x toys. As was done in Austin Texas. By people protesting my civil right to keep and bear arms.
I rather agree with Robert E. Lee‘s position on confederate monuments:
“As regards the erection of such a monument as is contemplated; my conviction is, that however grateful it would be to the feelings of the South, the attempt in the present condition of the Country, would have the effect of retarding, instead of accelerating its accomplishment; & of continuing, if not adding to, the difficulties under which the Southern people labour.”
Personally, I’m against the commemoration or memorialization of a bunch of filthy traitors who violated their oath to the United States Constitution by taking up arms against American citizens serving their Country.
Mass Shooting Statistics, Bad News for Europe.
h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJpTlUgDxU
they’re leading in rapeys and stabbys too. and vehicle sidewalk carnage.
i have no citation for this. just spreddin’ it, as lillian carter said.
this topic raises an inexplicable desire to visit pensacola and eat grouper.
Mick Jagger ate groupies too
donald fagen loves cinnamon.
topped with brown sugar
The Duly Elected Mayor of the Short Bus speaks…
I haven’t checked if this has been fixed but a while ago I tried to use various AI design software (Dall-E etc.) to placa a Gadsden flag into a graphic design i was working on and it wouldn’t do so,placing all sorts of variations, distortions and misrepresentation of the lag and eventually going nuts. if you searched simply for a picture, it would show one. I managed to trick one of the programs by dropping the words Gadsden flag and substituting a flag and describing the elements I wanted on the flag. it apparently referenced a Gadsden flag to get the eleme m to and I got a reasonably good recreation.