Seal of Massachusetts
The Seal of Massachusetts contains the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a U.S. State. The coat of arms is encircled by the text "Sigillum Reipublicae Massachusettensis" ("Seal of the Republic of Massachusetts").
The seal was adopted on by the Provincial Congress December 13 1780. The shield depicts an Algonquin Native American with bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying the state's admission as the 6th US State. A blue ribbon (blue, signifying the Blue Hills of Canton and Milton) surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto "Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem" ("By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"). Above the shield is the state military crest: a bent arm holding a broadsword aloft. The sword has its blade up, to remind that it was through the American Revolution that independence was won.
The Latin motto in the blue ribbon reads, "Ense petit placidam sub liberate quietem." This comes from the Book of Mottoes in the King's Library in Copenhagen, Denmark; written about 1659 by Algernon Sydney, English soldier and politician. It was adopted in 1775 by the Provincial Congress and means, "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty." This is the motto of the Commonwealth.
There have been a number of Seals of Massachusetts throughout history. The first seal of Massachusetts Bay Colony showed a nude American Indian with a bush covering his crotch. Like the current seal, he held in his hand an arrow pointed down. A scroll came out over his mouth with the words with the words "Come over and help us," emphasizing the missionary and commercial intentions of the original colonists. This seal was used until 1686, shortly after the charter was annulled, and again from 1689-1692.
A stained glass window at the top of the Grand Stair Case at the State House shows all the seals used in Massachusetts, including the royal seals of the Governors during colonial days.
See also
| Seals of the United States | |
|---|---|
| Seal of the United States | Great Seal of the United States |
| State Seals | Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
| Seal of the Federal District | District of Columbia |
| Seals of United States Territories | American Samoa | Guam | Northern Mariana Islands | Puerto Rico | Virgin Islands |
Categories
United States state seals | Flags and insignia of Massachusetts