Motto
A
motto is a
phrase or a short list of
words meant formally to describe the general motivation or intention of an entity, social group, or organization. Many countries, cities, universities, and other institutions have mottos, as do families with coats of arms.
Mottos are traditionally written in
Latin or
Romance languages, as well as in
English or
German. There are many exceptions:
Fraternities and sororities typically have their (usually secret) mottos in the
Greek language; in modern
heraldry, for example, the mottos of the
State of Hawaii and the
University of Hawaii are in
Hawaiian, and the motto of
Nunavut is in
Inuktitut, while in
England the motto of the
County of
Somerset is written in
Anglo-Saxon.
A
canting motto is one that contains
word play. For example, the motto of the
Earl of Onslow is
Festina lente, punningly interpreting
on-slow (literally "make haste slowly").
In
heraldry, a motto is often depicted in an achievement of arms, typically on a scroll below the shield, or else above the crest as in Scots heraldry.
Ships and submarines in the
Royal Navy each have a crest and motto, as do units of the
Royal Air Force.
*
List of fraternity and sorority mottos*
List of state mottos*
List of mottos*
List of U.S. state mottos*
List of Military Unit Mottoes by Country*
List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols*
Royal Mottos*
Unofficial national mottos of Poland*
List of university mottos*
Tripartite motto*
Slogan*
Inscription*
Epigram
