Seal of Massachusetts

Seal of Massachusetts. The official government emblem of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the seal features a complex heraldic design centered on the figure of a Massachusett man. Encapsulating the state's history and ideals, its imagery and Latin motto have been the subject of significant debate and legal modification. The seal's use is governed by Massachusetts General Laws and it appears on official documents, state buildings, and the Flag of Massachusetts.

History

The first seal used in the region was the Seal of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, granted by the English Council for New England in 1629 and depicting a stereotyped Native American figure with the phrase "Come over and help us." This was replaced by the Dominion of New England seal under Sir Edmund Andros in 1686. Following the start of the American Revolutionary War, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress adopted a new state seal in 1775, designed by Nathaniel Hurd of Boston. This version introduced the now-familiar Algonquian figure and the motto "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem," a line from the writings of Algernon Sidney. A minor redesign was approved by the Massachusetts Governor's Council in 1780. The current design, standardizing the details of the coat of arms, was adopted by the Massachusetts legislature on June 4, 1898.

Design and symbolism

The central shield depicts a stylized image of a Massachusett man, a member of the region's Algonquian-speaking people, holding a downward-pointed arrow in one hand and a bow in the other. Above the shield is a crest featuring a bent arm from the same figure, now wielding a broadsword. A five-pointed star representing Massachusetts as one of the Thirteen Colonies appears on the right side. The state motto, "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ("By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"), is displayed on a blue ribbon. The imagery has been criticized for its depiction of Indigenous people and its association with colonial violence against tribes like the Wampanoag during conflicts such as King Philip's War.

Usage and protocol

The seal is used to authenticate official acts of the Government of Massachusetts, including proclamations by the Governor of Massachusetts and legislation from the Massachusetts General Court. It is affixed to commissions for Supreme Judicial Court justices, notaries public, and other officials. The seal is displayed prominently in the Massachusetts State House and other state buildings. It also forms the central design on the state flag and the governor's flag. The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the official custodian of the seal, responsible for its safeguarding and proper use according to established protocol.

Legal status and modifications

The seal's design and use are codified in Massachusetts General Laws. In 1971, the legislature established a special commission to review the seal and motto, leading to public hearings but no design change. In 2021, following renewed advocacy from groups including the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and the North American Indian Center of Boston, the Massachusetts General Court created the **Special Commission on the Official Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth**. This body, composed of legislators and representatives from tribes such as the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, was tasked with recommending a new or modified seal and motto. Their final report is pending, with potential changes requiring approval from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the Massachusetts Senate, and the governor.

See also

* Flag of Massachusetts * Great Seal of the United States * List of Massachusetts state symbols * Seal of the Governor of Massachusetts * State constitution (United States)

Category:Massachusetts state symbols Massachusetts