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Seal of Michigan

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Great Seal of the State of Michigan
ArmigerState of Michigan
AdoptedJuly 22, 1835 (standardized 1911)
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 blue shield: Tuebor, "I will defend"[1]
  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 is 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 [his] monument, look around you").

This seal was adopted in the year of 1835, on June 22.[2]

Public 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'."[3]

Coat of arms of Michigan

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Coat of arms of the State of Michigan
Versions
Historical coat of arms (1876)
ArmigerState of Michigan
AdoptedJune 22, 1835 (standardized 1911)
MottoE Pluribus Unum
Tuebor
Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice

Legally distinct from, but adopted simultaneously 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

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (eds.). "tŭĕor". A Latin Dictionary. Tufts University. Retrieved 2014-07-13 – via Perseus Digital Library.
  2. ^ Farmer, Silas (1884). The History of Detroit and Michigan, or, The Metropolis Illustrated: A Chronological Cyclopaedia of the Past and Present Including a Full Record of Territorial Days in Michigan, and the Annuals of Wayne County. Detroit: Silas Farmer & Co. p. 91. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  3. ^ "Michigan Laws Chapter 2; Act 19 of 1963; § 2.42 – Great seal; description". LawServer. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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