Seal of New York

The Seal of New York is almost the same as the flag, but in a seal. The goddess Justice symbolizes freedom before the law. She is shown with a blindfold over her eyes, and is also holding the scales of justice in her left hand. The goddess Liberty, who symbolizes freedom, holds a pole with a liberty cap and is stepping on top of the British Crown, symbolizing freedom from Britain after the American Revolutionary War. There is a shield between them, which has a picture of the Hudson Highland, the Sun, and two sail boats sailing on the Hudson River. Over the shield is a globe, showing the Atlantic Ocean, and a bald eagle. Under the shield is a curving ribbon that reads New York's state motto — "Excelsior", which can be translated from Latin as "ever upwards."

A reproduction of the seal was the inspiration for the title of Longfellow's "Excelsior".