| The seal is circular and bears a representation of the
arms of the Commonwealth encircled with the words, "Sigillum
Reipublicae Massachusettensis" (Seal of the Republic
of Massachusetts). The final form of the seal was determined
by a statewide contest. The arms, according to legislative
enactment, consist of "a shield having a blue field or
surface with an Indian thereon, dressed in a shirt and moccasins,
holding in his right hand a bow, and in his left hand an arrow,
point downward, all of gold; and, in the upper corner of the
field, above his right arm, a silver star with five points.
The crest is a wreath of blue and gold, on which in gold is
a right arm, bent at the elbow, clothed and ruffled, with
the hand grasping a broadsword". The shield's shape is
called "Plantagenet"; the Native American model
used was of the Algonquin nation; the arrow points downward
to indicate that the Indian is peaceful; and the star indicates
that Massachusetts was one of the original thirteen states;
it was sixth. The sword illustrates the Latin motto that is
written in gold on a blue ribbon around the bottom of the
shield: "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem".
This is the second of two lines written about 1659 by Algernon
Sydney, English soldier and politician, in the Book of Mottoes
in the King's Library in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was adopted
in 1775 by the Provincial Congress and means, "By the
sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty".
State Flag
The State Flag is white, bearing on both sides a representation
of the coat of arms (except that the five-pointed star is
white instead of silver). It was adopted in its final form
in 1971; before that, the obverse side depicted a pine tree.
State Citizenry'
In December 18, 1990, the Legislature decided that the people
of the Commonwealth would be designated as Bay Staters.
State Heroine
Deborah Samson (note: while "Sampson" is the generally
used spelling, "Samson" has also been said to
be correct and is the spelling used in the statute) fought
in the War of Independence under the name of Robert Shurtleff
(also spelled "Shurtliff" and "Shurtlieff")
with courage, determination, and outstanding service, and
rendered a unique contribution as a woman to American independence.
Her masquerade remained undiscovered until she was wounded
in battle. In later years, she travelled extensively, lecturing
about her experiences, and a grateful nation gave her the
first military pension ever awarded to a woman. The Governor
annually issues a proclamation setting apart May 23 as an
anniversary day to appropriately observe her enlistment
in the Continental Army. The Legislature recognized her
heroism on July 22, 1983.
State Folk Hero
Johnny Appleseed was designated the official folk hero of
the Commonwealth on August 2, 1996. Appleseed was born John
Chapman and lived from 1775(?)-1845. An American pioneer
and hero of folklore, his planting of apple trees from New
England to the Ohio River valley earned him his more popular
name.
State Dog or Dog Emblem
The Boston Terrier (Canis familiaris bostenensis), first
purebred dog developed in America (1869); a cross between
an English bulldog and an English terrier. It was recognized
by the Legislature in 1979.
State Cat or Cat Emblem
The Tabby Cat (Felis familiaris) was made the official state
cat in 1988, in response to the wishes of the schoolchildren
of Massachusetts.
State Horse or Horse Emblem
The Morgan Horse (Equus cabullus morganensis), descended
from a little bay stallion born in West Springfield, MA,
in 1789, who could outrun and outwork any horse brought
against him. Named "Figure" by his owner, schoolteacher
and singing master Justin Morgan, in later years he was
known by his master's own name, "Justin Morgan".
The gallant little horse died in Vermont in 1821 at the
age of 32; the sturdy breed bearing his name was adopted
as the state horse in 1970.
State Marine Mammal or Marine Mammal
Emblem
The Right Whale (Eubabalena Glacialis) was so called because
the flourishing whaling industry in Massachusetts found
the cetacean the "right" whale to hunt, especially
before 1750. Unfortunately, the large, slow-moving mammal,
which is found nearer shore than many other whales, was
hunted nearly to extinction and is only now rebuilding its
population. The Legislature adopted the whale in March 1980.
State Bird or Bird Emblem
The Black-Capped Chickadee (Penthestes atricapillus) was
adopted as the official State Bird by the Massachusetts
Legislature on March 21, 1941. It is also known as the titmouse,
tomtit, and the dickybird, and it is one of the most familiar
of the North American birds. It is from four to five inches
in size, its tail accounting for nearly half its length.
The general coloring is ashy-grey, the back having a brownish
tinge; the crown, nape, chin, and throat are black, and
the cheeks white. It nests in a stump, tree, or fence post
close to the ground, and broods twice a year. It is a cheerful
bird and has a pleasing call: "Chick-adee-dee-dee".
State Game Bird or Game Bird Emblem
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), which was eaten at
the first Thanksgiving, was designated the state game bird
on December 23, 1991.
State Fish or Fish Emblem
The Cod (Gadus morrhua). A soft-finned fish, usually 10-20
lbs. General coloring is olive grey with lateral lines paler
than rest of body tint. Indians and Pilgrims used them as
common food and fertilizer. A sculpture of a cod hangs in
the House of Representatives as a tribute to this useful
aquatic creature. For over 200 years, the emblem of the
cod has remained a symbol of the Commonwealth's economic
beginnings, as the fishing industry provided the Puritans
with food, fertilizer, and revenue for trade.
State Insect or Insect Emblem
The Ladybug; also lady beetle, ladybird, ladyfly, etc. Most
common in the state is the Two-Spotted Lady Beetle (Adalia
bipunctata). Its head is black with pale yellowish margins;
elytra reddish, with two black spots. Idea originated in
1974 with a second-grade class in the Town of Franklin.
State Fossil or Fossil Emblem
The Dinosaur Tracks in Massachusetts, which were made over
200 million years ago. In Granby, the prints of a theropod
dinosaur fifty feet in length from head to tail (the first
record of a theropod of such magnitude), were found. They
were made the official fossil in 1980.
State Flower or Floral Emblem
The Mayflower (Epigaea regens), also commonly known as the
ground laurel or trailing arbutus, has ovate hairy leaves
and fragrant, pink or white, spring-blooming flowers with
five petals. It grows in woods, preferring sandy or rocky
soil, under or near evergreens. It was adopted as the official
flower of the Commonwealth by the General Court on May 1,
1918. Unfortunately, since 1925 it has been on the endangered
list.
State Tree or Tree Emblem
The American Elm (Ulmus Americana) was adopted as the official
tree March 21, 1941, to commemorate the fact that General
George Washington took command of the Continental Army beneath
one on Cambridge Common in 1775. It is a large tree, with
gray flaky bark. When growing in the forest it often attains
a height of 120 feet, but in the open it is wide-spreading
and of lesser height. The leaves are oval, and dark green,
turning to a clear yellow in the autumn. The American Elm,
like most elms, has been severely afflicted by Elm Disease.
State Beverage
Cranberry Juice was named the beverage of the Commonwealth
on May 4, 1970. This was a tribute to the great Massachusetts
cranberry industry, which grows the largest crop in the
world.
State Berry or Berry Emblem
A fifth-grade class on the North Shore adopted the cause
of making the Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) the official
berry of the state. Their two years of lobbying, petitions,
and hearings were finally rewarded in July of 1994.
State Bean or Bean Emblem
Cultivated plants and the colloquial names for them change
over the centuries, but in 1993 the legislature finally
determined that the Navy Bean had been the original bean
in the famous and venerable Boston Baked Bean recipe.
State Muffin
The schoolchildren of Massachusetts petitioned for the Corn
Muffin, a staple of New England cooking, and the Legislature
made it official in 1986.
State Dessert
The Boston Cream Pie, created in the 19th century, was chosen
as the official state dessert on December 12, 1996. A civics
class from Norton High School sponsored the bill. The pie
beat out other candidates, including the toll house cookie
and Indian pudding.
State Cookie
The Chocolate Chip Cookie was designated the official cookie
of the Commonwealth on July 9, 1997. A third grade class
from Somerset proposed the bill to honor the cookie invented
in 1930 at the Toll House Restaurant in Whitman.
State Shell
The New England Neptune (Neptuna lyrata decemcostata) was
made the state shell in 1987.
State Gem or Gem Emblem
Rhodonite is the most beautiful gem material found in the
state. It varies in hue from a light pink to a deep rose
or reddish pink and is associated with black manganese.
It was adopted in 1979.
State Mineral or Mineral Emblem
The finest quality Babingtonite in America has come from
this state. Although the Commonwealth is not overly blessed
with mineral resources, it is one of the few locations in
the world where this usually jet black material with a brilliant
submetallic luster is found. The Legislature adopted it
in April of 1971.
State Rock or Rock Emblem
The Roxbury Puddingstone, sometimes called Roxbury Conglomerate,
became the state rock in 1983.
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