State Motto of Rhode Island

State Motto of Rhode Island

The official State Motto of Rhode Island is simply “Hope.” The Rhode Island State Motto appears on the arms of the state, which appears on the great seal and state flag of Rhode Island. There is no official documentation from the time when Rhode Island first adopted the word “Hope” as the state motto on its Seal and flag that explains why this word was chosen. The Rhode Island General Assembly first adopted a Seal for the colony containing an anchor with the National Motto of Rhode Island word “Hope” above it on May 4, 1664. 

The most coherent explanation as to the use of “Hope” comes from the historical notes of Howard M. Chapin published in Illustrations Of The Seals, Arms, And Flags Of Rhode Island. those notes were printed by the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1930. On pages 4 and 5, Mr. Chapin wrote that the words and emblems on the Seal were probably inspired by the biblical phrase “hope we have as an anchor of the soul”, contained in Hebrews, Chapter 6, verses 18 and 19. The meaning of this famous State Motto of Rhode Island reflects the aspirations of the people of Rhode Island. 

 

Rhode Island State Nickname

 

The Ocean State

The official nickname of the Rhode Island is Ocean State alludes to its close proximity from all parts of the state to the Atlantic sea.

 

Little Rhody and the Smallest State

Little Rhody is the affectionate nickname that reflects the small size of the Rhode Island state.

 

The Plantation State

The Plantation nickname is a reference to the longest official name of all the states – the “State of Rhode Island Providence Plantations”.

TOPICS >   | | Rhode Island