Michigan State Seal

Great Seal of the State of Michigan

Adopted in on June 2, 1835

Both the Great Seal of Michigan and the Coat of Arms were adopted at the Constitutional Convention of 1835 on June 2, 1835. Lewis Cass, Michigan's second (non-acting) Territorial governor, created the original design which inspired by the seal used by the Hudson Bay Fur Company.

Description of Michigan State Seal

At the center of the seal, there is an image of a man standing resolutely at the tip of a penninsula, watching the sun rise, his rifle ready. On either side of the shield, a majestic moose and elk stand facing each other keeping the shield securely in place. And just above the shield, an eagle adds to the majesty. Each of these proud animals lends credence to the motto on the shield, "Tuebor", or "I will defend". Above the eagle is the familiar motto "E pluribus unum", or "From many, one". Below the shield are the words "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice", or "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." And encircling all of this are the words "The Great Seal of the State of Michigan".

Michigan State Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms is familiar to us because it is shown on Michigan's state flag. This first occurred in 1837. From that time, numerous flags were in use bearing the State Coat of Arms, with various designs and emblems.

It was not until 1865, however, that an official Michigan flag was adopted. The design of this flag, recommended by Adjutant-General John Robertson, and approved by Governor Crapo, bore on one side the State Coat of Arms on a field of blue. On the reverse side was the arms of the United States.

Michigan's state flag was first unfurled at the laying of the corner stone at the monument of the Solders' National Cemetery at Gettysburg on the Fourth of July, 1865.

By Act 209 of 1911, the State of Michigan flag was adopted with a simple phrase, "The State Flag shall be blue charged with the arms of the state." (MCL 2.23) Flags may be purchased by contacting the Michigan Department of Management and Budget at 517/322-5088.

Michigan's current 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

Act 209 of 1911

2.22 State coat-of-arms; emblazonment.
Sec. 2.
The coat-of-arms shall be blazoned as follows:
Chief, Azure, motto argent Tuebor;
Charge, Azure, sun-rayed rising sinister proper, lake wavey proper, peninsula dexter grassy proper, man dexter on peninsula, rustic, habited, dexter arm-raised, dexter turned, sinister arm with gun stock resting, all proper;
Crest, On a wreath azure and or, an American eagle rising to the dexter, tips of wings partly lowered to base, all proper, dexter talon holding an olive branch with 13 fruit, sinister talon holding a sheaf of 3 arrows, all proper. Over his head a sky azure environed with a scroll gules with the motto "E Pluribus Unum" argent;
Supporters;
Dexter, An elk rampant, proper;
Sinister, A moose rampant, proper;
Mottoes, On the scroll unending superior narrow argent, in sable, the motto, "Si quaeris peninsulam, amoenam."
On the scroll unending inferior, broader argent in sable the motto "circumspice."
Observations:
Scroll support and conventional leaf design between shield and scroll superior or;
Escutcheon supporters rest on the scroll supports and leaf design.

History: 1911, Act 209, Eff. Aug. 1, 1911 ;-- CL 1915, 1099 ;-- CL 1929, 135 ;-- CL 1948, 2.22