Symbols & Emblems of Rhode Island

Historic Seals of Rhode Island

TITLE 42: State Affairs and Government: CHAPTER 42-4: State Emblems: SECTION 42-4-2:
State Seal. – There shall continue to be one seal for the public use of the state; the form of an anchor shall be engraven thereon; the motto thereof shall be the word "Hope"; and in a circle around the outside shall be engraven the words,
"Seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1636".

The first anchor seal was adopted after the four original towns, Providence, Portsmouth, Newport and Warwick, united in 1647.

Page 51, Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island (1969 ed. with additions/corrections):
"1690, Mar 3. It was ordered by the Assembly that the seal brought in by Mr. Arnold Collins, being the anchor, with the motto Hope, is appointed to be the sea of the colony, he having been employed by the Assembly to make it."

	1661 Seal of Rhode Island	1690 Seal of Rhode Island
1763 Seal of Rhode Island	1782 Seal of Rhode Island	1865 Seal of Rhode Island
1875 Seal of Rhode Island	1892 Seal of Rhode Island	Seal of Rhode Island in use 1913

State Flag as depicted in 1913
As in the arms, "Hope" under the anchor

State Arms as it appeared in 1913

TITLE 42: State Affairs and Government: CHAPTER 42-4: State Emblems: SECTION 42-4-3
State Flag. – The flag of the state shall be white..., bearing on each side in the center a gold anchor..., and underneath it a blue ribbon ... with the motto "Hope" in golden letters thereon, the whole surrounde by thirteen (13) golden stars in a circle. The flag shall be edged with yellow fringe.

TITLE 42: State Affairs and Government: CHAPTER 42-4: State Emblems: SECTION 42-4-1
Arms of State. – The arms of the state are a golden anchor on a blue field, and the motto thereof is the word "Hope".

State Tree: Red Maple (Acer Rubrum)
State Flower: Violet (Viola Palmata)
State March: "Rhode Island" by T. Clark Brown
State Song: "Rhode Island's It for Me," words Charlie Hall, music Maria Day
State Bird: Rhode Island Red
State Rock: Cumberladite (black or dark brown with white markings and will attact a magnet. Not found outside the state of RI.)
State Mineral: Bowenite (close relation to the jade - many colors. Discovered by, and named for, George Bowen.)
State Shell: Quahaug (Mercenaria Mercenaria - a type of clam)
State Fish: Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis)
State Fruit: Rhode Island Greening Apple
State Drink: Coffee Milk
Nickname: The Ocean State, Little Rhody

The Current Great Seal of Rhode Island

The Rhode Island State Flag

Information about Other Symbols and Emblems of Rhode Island

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