Amotto (derived from theLatinmuttum, 'mutter', by way ofItalianmotto, 'word' or 'sentence')[1][2][3][4] is asentence orphrase expressing 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, butLatin has been widely used, especially in theWestern world.
Latin has been very common for mottos in the Western World, but fornation states, their officialnational language is generally chosen. Examples of using other historical languages in motto language include:
South Cambridgeshire in 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]
Acanting motto is one that containsword play.[10] For example, the motto of theEarl of Onslow isFestina 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 abackronym of the letters F.B.I.
Je MaintiendraiChâlons (French for "I will maintain Châlons"), often abbreviated asJe maintiendrai (French for "I will maintain"), the motto of theNetherlands
Inheraldry, a motto is often foundbelow the shield in abanderole in thecompartment. This placement stems from theMiddle Ages, in which the vast majority ofnobles possessed acoat of arms complete with a motto. In the case ofScottish heraldry, it is mandated to appearabove the 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 arms may display a motto in thebordure of 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 theobverse of 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 eagle serving as the escutcheon'ssupporter.
Inliterature, 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]
^Mark Antony Lower (October 1860)."Onslow".Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom.London, England: John Russell Smith.ISBN9780788404566.{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
![Motto Deus protector noster (Latin for 'God is our protector') below the arms of Pori[18]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aPorin_vaakuna.svg)
