Massachusetts Considering Three Finalists For New State Flag Design

Massachusetts has chosen finalists for a new flag, seal, and motto.

The state’s seal, which is featured prominently on the flag, features a Native American man. Above his head is an arm wielding a sword. The seal has generated controversy, with local tribes calling for a change. The motto, which reads “ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem," Latin for “by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty,” is also controversial for allegedly endorsing war.

The flag is also often criticized on more non-political grounds as poorly designed and unattractive.

In 2020, Massachusetts agreed to review the flag and seal. After the first committee tasked with studying the issue didn’t recommend any changes, a second committee was formed, which solicited designs from the public. Ultimately, over 1,150 were submitted.

Now, the field has been narrowed down to just three finalists each for a new flag, seal and motto. The state is finalizing a schedule for six public hearings on the finalists, before choosing final designs to present to Governor Maura Healey.

The finalists for the flag and seal can be seen below, and detailed descriptions of the symbolism of each finalist are available here.

The finalists for the motto are “multa voces, una res publica,” Latin for many voices, one Commonwealth; “bono publico laetamur,” Latin for we rejoice in the public good; and “we honor all life guided by the First Light.”