maine State Symbols

Maine became a state on March 15, 1820 and the Legislature adopted the language governing the Seal's design on June 9.

The actual appearance of the Seal has varied over the years. All of the variations have been based on the official description. The first sketch of the Seal was markedly different from the above; the "moose" looked like a deer, the shield was more conventional, and the scythe was held with the blade on the ground.

Later variations included the scythe being held behind the husbandman's head, and in one case, the inexplicable substitution of a sextant for the mariner's anchor. There is little statutory guidance for coloring the Seal other than the description of the blue-background State Flag in Title 1 Section 206. The present design was fixed by the Legislature in 1919.

The state coat of arms is placed on a blue field. In the center of the shield, a moose rests under a tall pine tree. A farmer and seaman represent the work that people did in early times. The North Star represents the state motto "Dirigo". “I Direct”