Seal of Michigan
Encyclopedia
The Great Seal of the State of Michigan depicts the coat of arms
of the U.S. state of Michigan
on a light blue field. On the dark blue shield the sun
rises over a lake and peninsula
, a man
holding a long gun
with a raised hand represents peace and the ability to defend his right
s. The elk
and moose
are symbols of Michigan
, while the bald eagle
represents the United States
.
The design features three Latin
mottos. From top to bottom they are:
The seal was adopted on 22 June 1835.
Act 19 of 1963 states that "The great seal shall be comprised of the coat of arms of the state around which shall appear the words 'great seal of the state of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV.' "
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
on a light blue field. On the dark blue shield the sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
rises over a lake and peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
, a man
Man
The term man is used for an adult human male . However, man is sometimes used to refer to humanity as a whole...
holding a long gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
with a raised hand represents peace and the ability to defend his right
Right
Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory...
s. The elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
and moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
are symbols of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, while the bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
represents the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The design features three Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
mottos. From top to bottom they are:
- On the red ribbon: E Pluribus UnumE pluribus unumE pluribus unum , Latin for "Out of many, one", is a phrase on the Seal of the United States, along with Annuit cœptis and Novus ordo seclorum, and adopted by an Act of Congress in 1782...
, "Out of many, one", a motto of the United States - On the light blue shield: Tuebor, "I will defend" (although some scholars prefer "observe" or "consider")
- On the white ribbon: Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice, "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you," which is the official state motto. It was adopted in 1835 and said to have been suggested by the tribute to architect Christopher WrenChristopher WrenSir Christopher Wren FRS is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.He used to be accorded responsibility for rebuilding 51 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710...
at Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, which reads Si monumentum requiris, circumspice (Latin "If you seek a monument, look around you").
The seal was adopted on 22 June 1835.
Act 19 of 1963 states that "The great seal shall be comprised of the coat of arms of the state around which shall appear the words 'great seal of the state of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV.' "
Coat of Arms of Michigan
Legally distinct from, but adopted simultaniously alongside the Great Seal in 1835, is the Coat of arms of Michigan. The current rendition of the Coat of Arms was adopted by the Legislature in 1911 (MCL 2.21). It is identical to the Great Seal of Michigan with the legend or circle, "The Great Seal of the State of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV", omitted. Unlike the Great Seal, the Coat of Arms may be printed on documents, stationery, or ornaments with no design or words and disconnected with any advertisement (MCL 750.247). However, a person who improperly exhibits and displays the Coat of Arms is guilty of a misdemeanor (MCL 750.245).See also
- Coat of Arms of the U.S. StatesCoat of Arms of the U.S. StatesThe coats of arms of the U.S. states are coats of arms, adopted by those states that have chosen, that are an official symbol of the state, alongside their seal. Eighteen states have officially adopted coats of arms...
- Seals of the U.S. statesSeals of the U.S. statesThe following gallery displays the official seals of the 50 states, federal district, and territories of the United States of America:-See also:* Coat of Arms of the U.S. States* Seals of Governors of the U.S. States* Flags of the U.S. states...
- List of Michigan state symbols
- Flag of MichiganFlag of MichiganThe Flag of the State of Michigan depicts the state's coat-of-arms on a dark blue field, as set forth by Michigan state law. -Design:...