Coat of arms of New York facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag |
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| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | April 2, 1901 (modified in April 2020) |
Variant flag of State of New York
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| Name | Flag of the Governor of New York |
| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Coat of arms of the State of New York | |
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Great Seal of the State of New York
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| Armiger | State of New York |
| Adopted | 1882, modified 1896, 1901, and 2020 |
| Blazon | Azure, in a landscape, the sun in fess, rising in splendor a river, bordered below by a grassy shore fringed with shrubs, all proper. |
| Supporters | Liberty and Justice |
| Motto | Excelsior, E Pluribus Unum |
The coat of arms of the state of New York is an important symbol. It was officially adopted in 1778. You can see it on the state's flag and seal.
The flag of New York shows the coat of arms on a solid blue background. The state seal of New York is the coat of arms surrounded by the words "The Great Seal of the State of New York."
Contents
What is the New York Coat of Arms?
The coat of arms is like a special picture that tells a story about New York. It has several parts, each with its own meaning.
The Shield's Story
The main part is a shield. On it, you'll see a ship and a smaller boat (a sloop) sailing on the Hudson River. These boats represent trade and business, both within New York and with other places. In the background, there's a grassy shore, shrubs, and mountains. The sun is rising brightly behind the mountains. This shows the natural beauty and new beginnings in New York.
Meet Liberty and Justice
The shield is held up by two figures:
- Liberty: On the left, she holds a pole with a special cap called a Phrygian cap. This cap is a symbol of freedom. She is stepping on a crown, which shows that New York is free from the British monarchy that once ruled it.
- Justice: On the right, she wears a blindfold. This means she is fair and treats everyone equally. She holds scales, which represent balance and fairness. She also holds a sword of justice, showing the power to make things right.
State Mottos
Below the shield, there is a banner with the motto Excelsior. This is a Latin word that means "higher" or "Ever Upward." It encourages people to always strive for better things.
Since April 2020, a second motto, E pluribus unum, was added. This Latin phrase means "Out of Many, One." It reminds us that many different people come together to form one strong state.
Flags made before 2020, without the "E pluribus unum" motto, are still used if they are in good condition.
The Eagle and Globe
Above the shield, there is a crest. It shows an eagle sitting on top of a world globe. The eagle represents strength and freedom. The globe shows that New York is part of the wider world.
A Look at History
The coat of arms and flag have a long history. The coat of arms was first adopted in 1778, during the American Revolution. The flag we see today is a modern version of a flag used during that time.
The color of the flag's background was changed in 1901. It used to be a color called "buff" (a yellowish-tan), but the state legislature changed it to blue.
In 2001, a group called the North American Vexillological Association studied the designs of 72 flags from U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces. New York's flag was ranked 53rd out of these 72 flags.
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