The state coat of arms depicts a blue shield, upon which the sun rises over a lake and peninsula, and a man with a raised hand representing peace and holding a long gun representing the fight for state and nation as a frontier state.

As supporters, the elk and moose are derived from the Hudson’s Bay Company coat of arms, and depict great animals of Michigan. The bald eagle represents the United States which formed the state of Michigan from the Northwest Territory.

The design features three Latin mottos. From top-to-bottom they are:

On red ribbon: “E Pluribus Unum,” means “Out of many, one,” a motto of the United States.
On light blue shield: “Tuebor,” means “I will defend.”
On white ribbon: “Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice,” means “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” (The official state motto).

It is one of eight U.S. state flags to feature an eagle.