| Great Seal of the State of Michigan | |
| Image2 Width: | 40 |
| Armiger: | State of Michigan |
| Year Adopted: | July 22, 1835 (standardized 1911) |
The Great Seal of the State of Michigan depicts the coat of arms of the U.S. state of Michigan on a light blue field. On the dark blue shield the Sun rises over a lake and peninsula, a man holding a long gun with a raised hand represents peace and the ability to defend his rights. The elk and moose are symbols of Michigan, while the bald eagle represents the United States.
The design features three Latin mottos. From top to bottom they are:
This seal was adopted in the year of 1835, on June 22.[2]
Public Act 19 of 1963 states that "The great seal shall be the coat of arms of the state around which shall appear the words 'great seal of the state of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV'."[3]
| Coat of arms of the State of Michigan | |
| Image2 Width: | 200 |
| Image2 Caption: | Historical coat of arms (1876) |
| Armiger: | State of Michigan |
| Year Adopted: | June 22, 1835 (standardized 1911) |
| Motto: | Latin: E Pluribus Unum Latin: Tuebor Latin: Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice |
Legally distinct from, but adopted simultaneously alongside the Great Seal in 1835, is the coat of arms of Michigan. The current rendition of the 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).