Catalog

Year Adopted: 1909

State emblem on a blue field; above is a gold five pointed "North star" and a red scroll bearing the state motto "Dirigo" (Latin) meaning "I Lead"; another scroll beneath the emblem is spelled out "MAINE". The colors for the coat of arms / state emblem are not officially prescribed. Maine was a district of Massachusetts until it was admitted as the 23rd state in 1820. Prior to 1920, the state flag consisted of a New England style green pine tree with a single blue north star on a colonial buff background.

The Great Seal of the State of Maine (formally adopted 1919). The seal of the State shall be a shield, argent, charged with a pine tree (americana, quinis ex uno folliculo setis) with a moose (cervus alces), at the foot of it, recumbent; supporters: on dexter side, a husbandman, resting on a scythe; on sinister side, a seaman, resting on an anchor. In the foreground, representing sea and land, and under the shield, shall be the name of the State in large Roman capitals, to wit: MAINE.  The whole shall be surrounded by a crest, the North Star. The motto, in small Roman capitals, shall be in a label interposed between the shield and crest, viz.: -- DIRIGO. (ref; maine.gov.sos)

Maine State Ensign
A revised pine tree style flag exists currently as the official state ensign or marine flag, being the only state other than Massachusetts that has one. It is a white flag adopted in 1939, consisting of the earlier pine tree /north star design, though entwined with a blue anchor across the trunk of the tree. Spelled above is the state motto "Dirigo", and underneath "Maine". This flag is made to order only.