Arizona State Motto: Ditat Deus
Fact-checked • Updated December 1, 2025
OFFICIAL STATE SEAL
"Ditat Deus"
God Enriches
About This Motto
Arizona's state motto is Ditat Deus, Latin for God Enriches. Richard McCormick created the phrase in 1863 for the territorial seal. It became the official state motto when Arizona joined the Union in 1912.
What the Motto Means
What's Arizona's motto in English? God Enriches. Latin phrase, simple translation.
McCormick picked two words in 1863. Ditat means 'enriches' in Latin. Deus? That's 'God.'
Some scholars think it comes from Genesis 14:23 in the Vulgate Bible. Maybe yes, maybe no. The exact phrase never shows up in scripture. McCormick might have adapted the idea himself.
Historical Background
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Richard McCormick's Creation
President Lincoln appointed McCormick as Secretary of Arizona Territory in 1863. McCormick was a writer, journalist, editor. He brought a printing press west when he took the job. Created the territorial seal design himself.
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First Appearance
Ditat Deus showed up on the territorial seal in 1863. Right there on official documents from day one. Miners, mountains, tools appeared in the seal's image.
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Seal Changes Over Time
Critics mocked the first seal. Said it looked like a baking soda label. Over the years, the design changed constantly. Miners vanished and reappeared. Trees got added, then removed. Shadows showed up on wrong sides.
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Official State Adoption
Arizona became the 48th state February 14, 1912. The motto stayed through all the seal changes. Legislature made Ditat Deus the official state motto that same year.
Meaning & Significance Today
How do Arizonans read the motto now? Many see it as recognition of the state's natural wealth. Copper mines, agriculture in desert conditions, tourism revenue from the Grand Canyon.
Religious meaning matters to some residents. Others view it historically. Either way, it sits on every official state seal.
Mining built early Arizona. So did cotton farming, cattle ranching. Water management turned desert into productive land. 'God Enriches' fit the narrative settlers told themselves.
Cultural Context in Arizona
1863 Territory
Arizona Territory formed during the Civil War. Harsh desert environment. Limited water. Hostile climate. Settlers needed faith and grit.
Biblical Reference
Scholar George Shankle suggested the phrase came from Genesis 14:23. Abram refuses help from the king of Sodom, claims reliance on God's blessings instead. The exact words don't appear in the Bible, but the concept matches.
State Seal Design
Mountains rise in the background. Sun climbs over peaks. Reservoir and dam appear on the right. Irrigated fields stretch across the scene. A miner stands with pick and shovel. The motto sits above all of it.
Natural Resources
Arizona held copper, silver, gold. Still does. Mining shaped the state's economy for decades. Ditat Deus made sense when wealth came from underground.
Current Law
Arizona Constitution Article 22, Section 20 describes the state seal design. The motto appears in that description. Legislature confirmed Ditat Deus as official in 1912.
Interesting Facts About the Motto
Fact 1 of 6
Richard McCormick created the motto in 1863, 49 years before statehood.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records.
Article 22, Section 20 describes the state seal and motto. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Official information about Arizona's state symbols and seal. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
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