Colorado State Motto – Nil Sine Numine

Nil Sine Numine Meaning - State of Colorado Motto

On the official State Seal of Colorado, the Latin Phrase “Nil Sine Numine” can be found on a white banner just above the date “1876”. 

Because the phrase Nil Sine Numine is Latin in origin, the translation has two meanings in the English language. The first translation means “Nothing Without Providence” and the second interpretation means “Nothing Without God”.

The state seal and phrase was officially adopted in 1877, just one year after Colorado became a State in 1876. 

Nil Sine Numine Meaning

According to the State of Colorado, the Latin phrase ‘”Nil Sine Numine”‘, was adopted as a part of the ‘original’ Territorial Seal.”

Ongoing “discussion has ensued concerning ‘the’ interpretation of this Latin phrase which commonly translated is “Nothing without Providence”. Others say it is “Nothing without God”.

In the early mining days of the State, the unregenerate said it meant “nothing without a new mine”. The best evidence of ‘the’ intent of Colorado’s official designers and framers of the resolution for adoption of the seal is contained in the committee report wherein clear distinction was made between “Numine” and “Deo” and it is specifically states that the committee’s interpretative translation was “Nothing without the Deity”.’  

“State Motto.” Archives, 17 May 2017, www.colorado.gov/pacific/archives/state-motto.

Share Colorado State Seal on Social -

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

More Fun Facts About Colorado

Colorado River Headwaters

The Rocky Mountains of Colorado are the headwaters to over seven major rivers, including the Colorado River. The headwaters of the Colorado River are found

Read More »

Native Tribes in Colorado

Colorado was originally home to numerous Native American Tribes including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Ute, Navajo, Apache, Shoshone, Comanche, and Pueblo Indians. Today, only “the

Read More »

More Fun Facts About Colorado

AQUAMARINE GEM COLORADO

Aquamarine – Colorado Gemstone

The official state gem of Colorado is Aquamarine. This semi-rare, Cyan Colored (Blue/Green), precious gemstone can be found near Mount Antero and Mount White. It is said that the Aquamarine Gem mines of Colorado “are

Read More »

Colorado Abbreviation – CO

Colorado Abbreviation – CO The abbreviation for the state of Colorado is “CO”. The abbreviation is formed by taking the first two letters of the state’s name and using them as a shortened form. This

Read More »
What does Colorado mean

What Does Colorado Mean

In simple translation, Colorado is a Spanish word that means colored red. It is derived from the Spanish word rojo, meaning red. The name Colorado was given because of the reddish tint of the Colorado

Read More »

Native Tribes in Colorado

Colorado was originally home to numerous Native American Tribes including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Ute, Navajo, Apache, Shoshone, Comanche, and Pueblo Indians. Today, only “the Southern Ute Tribe and the Mountain Ute Tribe” are Federally

Read More »

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top