Shortly after 1776, states began to adopt their own official state seals, mottos, nicknames, and much more, which are all used to symbolize and represent the uniqueness of each state in the U.S.
The famous Maine state seal can be seen and downloaded below. The official state seal of Maine was adopted all the way back in 1820, which was when the state declared official independence, and subsequently became one of the 50 U.S. states.
The Coat of Arms that features prominently on the state seal of Maine can also be found on the official state flag too. The farmer on the seal is a symbol of pride regarding Maine’s agricultural history and present success, the sailor represents the state’s strong ties to the sea, imports and exports, and of course, the lobster and seafood industry.
The Great Seal of The State of Maine Meaning
The center shield in the middle of the state seal, held up by both men represents the natural richness and beauty the state has to offer. The pine tree symbolizes the state tree (white pine), and is also one of Maine’s nicknames – the “Pine Tree State.” The moose laying in front of the pine tree is a representation of the official state animal of Maine.
The North star shines above the official motto for Maine, “DIRIGO”, which means “I lead”. This has a lot of significance due to the North Star, which is also called by astronomers “Polaris” helping travelers for centuries, using it as a reference point to find their way to a destination as it always indicates the north.
Most states will have their seals showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and this fact about the Pine Tree State is certainly no different, embodying everything that Maine stands for.
