Massachusetts Makeover: New Flag, Seal, And Motto Down To 3 Finalists

MASSACHUSETTS — The state has released its three finalists for its new flag, seal, and motto. Local artists submitted more than 1,000 submissions throughout the past four years, and the top three have finally risen to the top after a voting process.

All three of the finalists include references and symbols of Massachusetts’s heritage, history, and ideals.

The first seal, known as “Peace with Liberty” features a North Atlantic Right Whale in the sea and a White Chickadee on land. There is also a white star in the sky, the color is meant to represent peace. The second seal is titled “Lighting Our Way Forward” and also features a star and a landscape with both land and water. The star also appears to have a sun behind it. 1788 is the title of the third seal, which is the year Massachusetts became a state. A life-like chickadee design is surrounded by six turkey feathers, representing how Mass was the sixth state to join the union. Its crimson color was chosen to represent the state’s strong educational institutions like Harvard.

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The “Blue Hill Banner” flag includes a hill design representing the terrain of the state, whit and blue stripes that resemble ocean waves, and and eight-pointed star meant to resemble a compass. The “Mayflower” flag is a simpler design, with the state flower on a blue background and another star in the center as the bud of the plant. Indigenous peoples of the Northeast, including the Wampanoag and other Algonquian-speaking nations, used the plant for medicinal purposes. The final flag is very similar to the “1788” seal, with a crimson color palette and the six turkey feathers.

“Many Voices, One Commonwealth” is a motto that is meant to signify the state’s diverse population yet collective identity. “We honor all life guided by the First Light” harkens back to The Wampanoag Native American tribe, who were known as the people of the first light. The final motto contender is “Bono publico laetamur” which is Latin for “ We Rejoice in the public good.” The phrase originates from 19th century scholar Benjamin O Peirce and is currently displayed in the public library in his hometown of Beverly.

The decision to change the current flag came about due to its colonial and Native American imagery. The nine designs are reportedly still subject to change based on public feedback. They can all be viewed on the state’s website.

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