The Gadsden Flag is a historical American flag featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the phrase "Don't Tread on Me." It was designed in 1775 by Christopher Gadsden, a politician and general from South Carolina, during the early stages of the American Revolution. The flag symbolizes the colonies' resistance to British rule and their fight for independence. The rattlesnake was chosen as a symbol of vigilance and readiness to defend against threats. The flag has since become a popular emblem of American patriotism and individual rights, often associated with various political movements advocating for limited government and personal freedoms.