Amotto(derived from theLatinmuttum,'mutter', by way ofItalianmotto,'word' or 'sentence')[1][2][3][4]is asentenceorphraseexpressing a belief or purpose,[1]or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family,social group,or organization.[2][4]Mottos (or mottoes)[1]are usually found predominantly in written form (unlikeslogans,which may also be expressed orally), and may stem from long traditions of social foundations, or from significant events, such as a civil war or a revolution. One's motto may be in any language, butLatinhas been widely used, especially in theWestern world.
Language
editLatinhas been very common for mottos in the Western World, but fornation states,their officialnational languageis generally chosen. Examples of using other historical languages in motto language include:
- CountyofSomersetin England:Sumorsǣte ealle(All the men of Somerset),Old English.[5][6]
- South Cambridgeshirein the EnglishFens:Niet Zonder Arbyt(Nothing without work),Dutch,originally the motto of Dutchman Cornelius Vermuyden, who drained The Fens in the 17th century.[7][8]
- South Africa:ǃke e: ǀxarra ǁke(Unity in diversity),ǀXam.
- ShireofShetland:Með lögum skal land byggja(By law shall the land be built up),Old Norse.[9]
Acantingmotto is one that containsword play.[10]For example, the motto of theEarl of OnslowisFestina lente(literally 'make haste slowly'), punningly interpreting 'on slow'.[11]Similarly, the motto of the Burgh ofTayport,Te oportet alte ferri(It is incumbent on you to carry yourself high), is a cant on 'Tayport at auld Tay Ferry', also alluding to the local lighthouse.[12]The motto of the U.S.Federal Bureau of Investigation,Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity,is abackronymof the letters F.B.I.
List of examples
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- United in diversity,the motto of theEuropean Union(EU)
- In God We Trust,the motto of theUnited States(US)
- Je MaintiendraiChâlons(French for "I will maintain Châlons" ), often abbreviated asJe maintiendrai(French for "I will maintain" ), the motto of theNetherlands
- Dieu et mon droit(French for "God and my right" ), is the motto of themonarch of the United Kingdom.It appears on a scroll beneath the shield of the version of thecoat of arms of the United Kingdom.
- Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno(Latin for "One for all, all for one" ), unofficial motto ofSwitzerland
- Post tenebras lux(Latin for "Light After Darkness" ), motto ofUniversity of Geneva
- United we stand, divided we fall[clarification needed]
Mottos in heraldry
editInheraldry,a motto is often foundbelowthe shield in abanderolein thecompartment.This placement stems from theMiddle Ages,in which the vast majority ofnoblespossessed acoat of armscomplete with a motto. In the case ofScottish heraldry,it is mandated to appearabovethe crest[13]and is called slogan (see:Slogan (heraldry)). The word 'slogan' is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelicsluagh-ghairm(sluagh"army, host" +gairm"cry" ).[14]There are several notable slogans which are thought to originate from abattle or war cries.In heraldic literature, the terms 'rallying cry' respectively 'battle banner' are also common.[citation needed]Spanish coats of armsmay display a motto in thebordureof the shield.[15]
InEnglish heraldry,mottos are not granted with armorial bearings, and may be adopted and changed at will. In Scottish heraldry, mottos can only be changed by re-matriculation, with theLord Lyon King of Arms.[16]Although unusual in England, and perhaps outsideEnglish heraldic practice,there are some examples, such as inBelgium,of the particular appearance of the motto scroll and letters thereon beingblazoned;[17]a prominent example is theobverseof theGreat Seal of the United States(which is a coat of arms and follows heraldic conventions), the blazon for which specifies that the motto scroll is held in the beak of thebald eagleserving as the escutcheon'ssupporter.
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Motto "Domine dirige nos" (Latinfor 'Lord, guide us')belowtheCoat of arms of the City of London -
![Motto Deus protector noster (Latin for 'God is our protector') below the arms of Pori[18]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Porin_vaakuna.svg/102px-Porin_vaakuna.svg.png)
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Abovethe crest is the slogan (see:Slogan (heraldry),most traditional inScottish heraldry) or thewar cry,Arms ofBrady Brim-DeForest,Baron of Balvaird
![Motto Deus protector noster (Latin for 'God is our protector') below the arms of Pori[18]](/translate/en.m.wikipedia.org?u=https%3A%2F%2Fen.m.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3APorin_vaakuna.svg&t=vi)
Shipsandsubmarinesin theRoyal Navy(RN) each have abadgeand motto, as do units of theRoyal Air Force(RAF).[19][ISBN missing]
Mottos in literature
editInliterature,a motto is a sentence, phrase, poem, or word; prefixed to an essay, chapter, novel, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter. It is a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle for the written material that follows.[4]
For example,Robert Louis Stevenson'sTravels with a Donkey in the Cévennesuses mottos at the start of each section.[20]
See also
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References
edit- ^abcmotto – Cambridge Dictionary.Cambridge,England:Cambridge University Press.2022.Retrieved1 November2022.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ab"motto – Oxford Dictionaries".OxfordDictionaries.Oxford,England:Oxford University Press.Archived fromthe originalon 18 August 2016.Retrieved31 January2011.
- ^motto – Merriam-Webster.Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.2022.Retrieved1 November2022.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^abc"Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)".The ARTFL Project.The University of Chicago.Archived fromthe originalon 6 December 2013.Retrieved20 December2013.[failed verification]
- ^"The Danish Invasions".Somerset.gov.uk.Somerset County Councilarchives. Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2013.Retrieved26 June2015.
- ^"Somerset - Coat of arms (crest) of Somerset".Heraldry-Wiki.Heraldry of the World. 19 March 2019.Retrieved1 November2022.
- ^"Civic Heraldry of England and Wales – East Anglia and Essex area".CivicHeraldry.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 28 August 2009.Retrieved8 November2009.
- ^"South Cambridgeshire".rsnonline.org.uk.Rural Services Network. Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2013.Retrieved21 December2013.
- ^"Shetland Islands - Coat of arms (crest) of Shetland Islands".Heraldry-Wiki.Heraldry of the World. 13 October 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 26 May 2021.Retrieved1 November2022.
- ^The Manual of Heraldry: being a concise description of the several terms used, and containing a dictionary of every designation in the science. Illustrated by four hundred engravings on wood(5th ed.).London,England: Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co. 1800. p.132.OCLC1049649069.OL24349702M.Retrieved1 November2022.
- ^Mark Antony Lower (October 1860)."Onslow".Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom.London,England: John Russell Smith.ISBN9780788404566.
- ^"Tayport - Coat of arms (crest) of Tayport".Heraldry-Wiki.Heraldry of the World. 13 October 2020.Retrieved1 November2022.
- ^von Volborth, Carl Alexander (March 1980).Heraldry of the World.Blandford Press. p.192.ISBN9780806999609.OL7944413M.
- ^"slogan".Merriam-Webster.2003. p. 1174.
- ^von Volborth, Carl Alexander (March 1980).Heraldry of the World.Blandford Press. p.211.ISBN9780806999609.OL7944413M.
- ^Innes-Smith, Robert (1990).An Outline of Heraldry in England and Scotland.Derby,England:Pilgrim Press.p.14, col 1.ISBN0-900594-82-9.OCLC1036776100.Retrieved1 November2022.
Mottos are not necessarily hereditary, and can be adopted and changed at will.
- ^"USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)".The Institute of Heraldry.Retrieved21 February2024.
- ^"Juhana Herttuan patsas - Pori, Finland – Statues of historic figures".Waymarking.Groundspeak, Inc. 2022.Retrieved1 November2022.
- ^Cassells, Vic (2000).The capital ships: Their battles and their badges.Kangaroo Press. p. 190.
- ^Stevenson, Robert Louis(1907).Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes.London,England:Chatto & Windus.