South Carolina has two state mottos: “Animis Opibusque Parati” meaning “prepared in mind and resources” and “Dum Spiro Spero” meaning “As I breathe, I hope.” Both are on the state seal, which also features a palmetto tree representing victory in a Revolutionary War battle. Other state symbols include a flower, butterfly, animal, bird, and game bird.
South Carolina actually has two state mottos, both of which are Latin phrases with different meanings. Animis Opibusque Parati, which is considered to be the first state motto of South Carolina, means “prepared in mind and resources.” South Carolina’s second state motto is “Dum Spiro Spero,” which means “As I breathe, I hope.” The origin of Dum Spiro Spero is attributed to the Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, who is thought to have penned the phrase.
Both South Carolina state mottos are featured on the South Carolina state seal, which is in the shape of a circle. Inside the circle are two oval rings bearing the inscriptions of the two state mottos. The first oval ring is on the left side and has a South Carolina banner above with the inscription Animis Opisbusque Parati below. The oval on the right side bears the inscription Dum Spiro Spero at the top. This right oval was originally located on the reverse of the seal and has a representation of Spes, the Roman goddess of hope.
The oval bearing the inscription of South Carolina’s first state motto has a representation of a palm tree in the center, representing victory in a battle against the British during the Revolutionary War at a location that is now the current Fort Moultrie. The adoption of the palm tree is related to the use of palm logs in the construction of the Palmetto Log Fort from which South Carolina forces defended Sullivan’s Island from invading British fleets. The state flag of South Carolina also features the palmetto tree.
The South Carolina mottos featured on the state seal were adopted in 1776 following South Carolina’s declaration of independence. Other Latin inscriptions on the South Carolina state seal include Meliorem Lapsa Locavit, which means “He planted a best of fallen” and Quis Seperabit?, which means “who will separate us?” Dom Sipro Spero was also the motto of the Irish Viscounts Dillon, found on their coat of arms.
In addition to the South Carolina state motto, other state symbols include a state flower, state butterfly, state animal, state bird, and state gamebird. The state flower is the yellow Jessamine and the state butterfly is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. South Carolina’s state animal is the white-tailed deer. South Carolina’s state bird is the Carolina wren, while the state game bird is the wild turkey.
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