New York State Motto: Excelsior
Fact-checked • Updated December 3, 2025
OFFICIAL STATE SEAL
"Excelsior"
Ever Upward
About This Motto
New York adopted Excelsior in 1778 as part of its coat of arms. Latin word translates to Ever Upward. Committee led by John Jay designed state arms during Revolutionary War. New York became 11th state July 26, 1788. Motto appears on state seal and flag today.
What the Motto Means
Excelsior translates to Ever Upward. Latin word comes from excelsus, meaning high, elevated, or lofty. Root appears in comparative form here. Basic meaning: higher. Most sources translate phrase as Ever Upward or Onward. Word conveys continuous upward movement and pursuit of higher goals. Grammatically, excelsior functions as comparative adjective in ablative or accusative case.
Why Latin? Revolutionary-era leaders valued classical education. Latin carried weight and permanence. Nearly half U.S. states chose Latin mottoes. This choice connected new republic to Roman traditions of governance and civic virtue. Committee selected single-word motto for simplicity. One word captured aspiration better than lengthy phrase.
Motto appears on white banner below state shield. Design places it prominently at bottom of coat of arms. Word written in black letters on scroll beneath Justice and Liberty figures. Eagle perches above shield on globe. Ships sail Hudson River in shield center. Mountains rise in background with sun above peaks. Cotton didn't grow in New York. Commerce and shipping dominated state economy instead.
Legislature never adopted Excelsior separately from coat of arms statute. Phrase exists only within arms description. Other states passed standalone motto legislation. New York integrated motto into complete heraldic design. Technical distinction matters less than practical usage. State treats Excelsior as official motto regardless. You find it on documents, seals, and publications.
Historical Background
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Revolutionary War Context 1777
New York faced British occupation during Revolutionary War. Committee formed April 1777 to design state arms while war raged. State needed symbols distinct from British colonial imagery. John Jay led design effort alongside John Sloss Hobart and Gouverneur Morris. Three men worked through summer and fall 1777. Design completed December 1777. British controlled New York City throughout this period. The group worked in areas under American control.
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Committee Members and Adoption
John Jay chaired committee at age 32. Already served as Chief Justice of New York Supreme Court since May 1777. Jay helped draft state constitution same year. John Sloss Hobart sat on state Supreme Court. Gouverneur Morris collaborated on constitution with Jay. Committee chose Latin motto Excelsior for coat of arms. Legislature formally adopted design March 16, 1778. Same week Jay signed oath as Chief Justice. No records explain who specifically suggested Excelsior.
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Statehood and Constitution
New York ratified U.S. Constitution July 26, 1788, becoming 11th state. State constitution adopted 1777 while still fighting Britain. Population concentrated along Hudson River valley. Albany served as capital since 1797. Commerce and trade dominated economy. State flag adopted later with coat of arms as centerpiece. Legislature chose blue background 1901 after changing from buff color in 1896.
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2020 Secondary Motto Addition
Legislature added secondary motto 2020 as part of state budget. E Pluribus Unum now appears below Excelsior on seal. Latin phrase translates to Out of Many, One. Addition acknowledged New York's diversity. Primary motto Excelsior remained unchanged. State seal modified to include both phrases. Second line added to banner space below shield.
Meaning & Significance Today
Motto appears on state coat of arms and Great Seal. Secretary of State maintains custody of official seal. Seal authenticates state documents and commissions. Governor displays arms at press conferences. You see design on official letterhead and publications. Blue flag features full coat of arms centered on field. Liberty stands left with Phrygian cap on staff. Justice stands right with sword and scales. Eagle spreads wings above on globe.
State government uses motto extensively. License plates display Excelsior across bottom. Tourism campaigns reference upward aspiration. Governor Andrew Cuomo frequently cited motto during COVID-19 pandemic briefings. The term became rallying cry during 2020 crisis. Historical weight gave phrase contemporary relevance. New Yorkers recognized motto from flag and seal.
Excelsior entered American culture beyond state borders. Longfellow's 1842 poem spread word nationwide. Businesses adopted name for branding. Stan Lee used phrase as signature sign-off in Marvel comics columns. The term appears in crossword puzzles regularly. Most Americans recognize term even without knowing origin. Latin motto achieved rare mainstream recognition.
Academic institutions incorporate motto into traditions. Students learn word in Latin classes. History curricula cover Revolutionary War adoption. State symbol education includes motto meaning. Teachers explain John Jay's role in design. Modern interpretation focuses on continuous improvement and ambition. Phrase encourages pursuit of excellence across generations.
Cultural Context in New York
Revolutionary War Symbolism
Committee designed arms during active warfare. British occupied New York City 1776-1783. Patriots controlled upstate regions. Arms needed to project independence and sovereignty. Shield depicts Hudson River commerce. Ships indicated economic strength. Rising sun suggested new beginning. Liberty figure treads on crown, rejecting monarchy. Justice holds sword and scales, promising fair governance. Eagle topped design as American symbol.
Hudson River Commerce
Shield features three-masted ship and sloop on Hudson River. River served as vital commercial artery. Goods moved between New York City and interior settlements. Dutch and English trading established early economy. Fur trade built Albany's prosperity. Shipping connected state to Atlantic commerce. Committee chose river imagery to highlight economic foundation. Mountains in background depicted natural landscape.
John Jay's Leadership
Jay led committee while serving dual roles. Chief Justice position carried significant authority. Constitutional convention work demonstrated political skill. Jay later served Continental Congress president starting December 1778. Diplomatic missions to Spain and peace negotiations with Britain followed. First Chief Justice of U.S. Supreme Court 1789-1795. New York governor 1795-1801. Early career included designing state arms and selecting motto.
Longfellow Connection
Poet saw New York seal on newspaper scrap before writing 1842 poem. Alpine setting provided dramatic backdrop for moral tale. Youth climbs pass ignoring warnings, dies clutching banner reading Excelsior. Poem explores ambition's costs. Became one of most reprinted American poems. Multiple parodies and adaptations followed. James Thurber illustrated poem 1945. Thornton Wilder named fictional town Excelsior in play The Skin of Our Teeth.
Modern Usage
State agencies display motto prominently. Tourism marketing uses phrase regularly. Sports teams occasionally reference upward aspiration. Businesses name themselves Excelsior to suggest excellence. Word appears on commemorative items and souvenirs. Educational materials explain Latin origins. Public buildings feature coat of arms with motto. Phrase remains active part of state identity rather than forgotten historical artifact.
Current Law
State statute describes complete coat of arms including motto. Shield shows ship and sloop on river with mountains and rising sun. Liberty figure stands left holding staff with Phrygian cap. Justice stands right blindfolded holding sword and scales. Eagle perches on globe above shield. White banner below displays motto Excelsior in black letters. Law specifies design adopted March 16, 1778.
Legislature modified design 2020 to include secondary motto. Budget legislation added E Pluribus Unum below Excelsior on banner. Change required updating official seal specifications. Secretary of State office maintains custody of seal plates. Statute hasn't changed original 1778 elements. Motto exists within coat of arms description rather than standalone designation. Integration into arms statute provides legal basis.
Interesting Facts About the Motto
Fact 1 of 15
New York adopted Excelsior during the Revolutionary War in 1778 while British occupied New York City.
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.
Comprehensive history of state seal, coat of arms adoption in 1778, and committee members. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Complete details on coat of arms design, symbolism, and legislative history. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Official state documentation of coat of arms specifications and motto meaning. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Details on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1842 poem inspired by New York state motto. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
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