Seal of Michigan

Great Seal of the State of Michigan
Versions
Coat of Arms of Michigan
Details
Armiger	State of Michigan
Adopted	22 June 1835
Motto	E Pluribus Unum Tuebor Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice

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 rights. 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:

1. On the red ribbon: E Pluribus Unum, "Out of many, one", a motto of the United States
2. On the light blue shield: Tuebor, "I will defend" (although some scholars prefer "observe" or "consider")
3. 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 Wren 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.^[1]

Act 19 of 1963 states that "The great seal shall be comprised [sic] 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).

Government Seals of Michigan

• 

  Seal of the Governor of Michigan

• 

  Seal of the Secretary of State of Michigan

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  Seal of the Attorney General of Michigan

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  Seal of the Treasury of Michigan

See also

Michigan portal

• Coat of Arms of the U.S. States
• Seals of the U.S. states
• List of Michigan state symbols
• Flag of Michigan

References

1. ^ [1]

External links

• The Great Seal of the State of Michigan