Maine Motto
Dirigo
The state motto of Maine is “Dirigo” which is Latin for “I Direct” or “I Lead.” This motto was adopted in the first session of the Legislature of the State of Maine in the summer of 1820 following the day Maine entered the Union on March 15, 1820. The reference is to the “Polar Star” which represents the new State of Maine and so the motto, Dirigo, is an extended metaphor as the Polar Star is the mariner’s guide so is the state meant to be the “citizens’ guide.”
The simple, one-word, Latin motto appears on Maine’s coat of arms, which appears on both the state seal and state flag.