Oregon State Motto: Alis Volat Propriis

Alis Volat Propriis translates to She Flies With Her Own Wings. Latin uses feminine tradition for territories and nations. Alis comes from ala, meaning wing, in ablative plural form. Volat derives from volare, to fly. Propriis means one's own. Ablative case indicates means or instrument. Phrase literally means by means of her own wings she flies.

English version came first. Jesse Quinn Thornton wrote She Flies With Her Own Wings in English. He then translated phrase into Latin. Thornton served as Supreme Judge of Provisional Government of Oregon. He wanted motto expressing independence from federal assistance. Phrase captured Oregon Territory's self-reliant pioneer spirit. Early settlers created government without substantial help from Washington.

Translation flexibility allows multiple readings. Gender-neutral interpretation reads one flies with one's own wings. Masculine version becomes he flies with his own wings. Latin grammar permits these variations because pronoun often omitted and verb form not inflected for gender. Official English translation uses feminine version She Flies With Her Own Wings. Oregon follows tradition of personifying states and territories as female.

Why focus on independence? Oregon Territory formed under unusual circumstances. Provisional Government operated 1843-1849 before formal territorial status. Settlers created laws, courts, and infrastructure without federal oversight. Distance from eastern states forced self-sufficiency. Thornton's motto captured this frontier autonomy. Phrase expressed pride in accomplishments achieved through local effort rather than outside aid.

Motto appears throughout Oregon government. State seal still displays The Union inscription below shield with 33 stars. Official documents feature Alis Volat Propriis separately from seal. State legislature building includes motto inscriptions. Government publications print Latin phrase with English translation. Oregon flag shows two-sided design. Front displays state seal with The Union. Reverse shows gold beaver, state animal.

Phrase resonates with Oregon identity. Residents embrace independent spirit message. Portland Thorns FC soccer team adopted motto for website and merchandise. Marvel Comics published Captain Marvel collection titled Alis Volat Propriis in 2015. Author Kelly Sue DeConnick, Oregon resident, chose title for book. Phrase appears on tattoos and personal items. Many interpret motto as feminist statement about female independence. Women's empowerment movements adopted saying.

Oregon continues pioneering tradition. State leads in environmental legislation. Bottle bill passed 1971 established container deposit system. Beach Bill 1967 guaranteed public access to entire coastline. Death with Dignity Act 1997 allowed physician-assisted suicide. Vote-by-mail system expanded voter participation. Oregon maintains reputation for innovative policy experiments. Motto captures willingness to forge new paths.

Latin grammar occasionally draws critique. Some linguists suggest classical usage might favor alis suis volat for explicit possession. Addition of ea as feminine subject pronoun could add clarity. Territorial origins in 1854 inscribed phrase without direct subject. These variations lead to interpretive debates about translation fidelity. Scholars note phrase works grammatically despite technical imprecision. Broader meaning remains clear regardless of grammatical nuances.

Oregon Revised Statutes govern state motto. Legislature codified motto in Title 19, Chapter 186. Statute designates Alis Volat Propriis as official motto. Law provides official English translation: She Flies With Her Own Wings. Original statute passed 1957 establishing The Union as motto. Legislature amended statute 1987 to restore Latin phrase. Current law maintains both historical context and modern usage.

State seal requirements appear in Oregon Constitution Article VI. Seal mandated by constitutional provision. Design specified in Oregon Revised Statutes. Seal shows American eagle atop shield. Shield depicts mountains, elk, covered wagon, and Pacific Ocean. British man-of-war ship departs while American steamer arrives. Banner inscribed The Union. Thirty-three stars surround shield. Stars commemorate Oregon as 33rd state. Seal design unchanged since 1859 statehood. Motto Alis Volat Propriis used separately from seal inscription.

What is Oregon's state motto?

Oregon's motto is 'Alis Volat Propriis,' which translates to 'She Flies With Her Own Wings' in English.

When did Oregon adopt this motto?

Oregon first adopted the motto in 1854 for the territorial seal, replaced it with 'The Union' in 1957, and restored it in 1987.

Who created Oregon's motto?

Jesse Quinn Thornton, Supreme Judge of the Provisional Government of Oregon, wrote the motto in 1854.

Why does the motto use feminine language?

The feminine translation follows the tradition of personifying states and territories as female, though the Latin can be read gender-neutrally.

When did Oregon become a state?

Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.

Why did Oregon change its motto in 1957?

The legislature changed the motto to 'The Union' in 1957 to match the inscription already on the state seal from 1859.

Who sponsored the 1987 legislation to restore the original motto?

Barbara Roberts (Secretary of State), Jason Boe (former Senate President), and Cecil Edwards (Senate historian) sponsored the restoration.

What does the Latin phrase mean literally?

Literally translated, it means 'by means of her own wings she flies,' with 'alis' (wings) in the ablative case indicating instrument.

Does Oregon's state seal show the motto?

The state seal displays 'The Union' below the shield, while 'Alis Volat Propriis' is used separately as the official motto.

Is Oregon the only state to readopt its original motto?

Yes, Oregon is the only U.S. state to restore its original territorial motto decades after replacing it.