BOSTON — Massachusetts residents will soon have the opportunity to weigh in on potential new state seal, flag and motto proposals, after a commission unveiled the top three finalists in each category on Thursday.
The Massachusetts Seal, Flag and Motto Advisory Commission received more than 1,150 public design ideas and narrowed the choices down to nine selections through a “rigorous review and scoring process,” the panel said. Six public hearings will be held in September and October as the commission looks to foster a “transparent and inclusive process for everyone.”
The top three seal options feature a right whale, a chickadee encircled by turkey feathers, and a star with other elements like water and hills.
The top three flags involve a circle of turkey feathers on a crimson background; a six-pointed gold star embedded in a white mayflower against a blue background; and blue hills and waves with an eight-pointed gold star.
The motto selections are “Multae voces, una res publica” or “Many voices, One Commonwealth”; “We honor all life guided by the First Light”; and “Bono publico laetamur” or “We rejoice in the public good.”
Education Secretary Pat Tutwiler, who co-chairs the commission, said the emblem could “transform” with public feedback. They might also be “polished” with the help of graphic design support Eastern Research Group, he said.
“They do work nationally, and they have done work similarly to this elsewhere, where they’ve been involved in the development of new flags and seals, and have done so through community engagement and thoughtful processes,” said Kate Fox, commission co-chair and executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
The past iteration of the commission was unable to agree on changes to the state seal and motto. The centuries-old existing state seal has drawn controversy for portraying an indigenous person on a shield, with a crest above containing an arm holding a shield.
The directive to come up with a new seal and motto first originated with the signing by former Gov. Charlie Baker of a resolve on Jan. 11, 2021.