Massachusetts coat of arms (public domain image on Wikipedia).
Official State Coat of Arms of Massachusetts
The Massachusetts state coat of arms is featured on the state flag and the state seal of Massachusetts. All State Coats of Arms
Massachusetts legislation describes the coat of Arms as a blue shield (in the shape of a "plantagenet") featuring a native American dressed in a shirt and moccasins (the model used was from the Algonquin nation). His right hand holds a bow, and his left hand clasps an arrow pointing downward to indicate peacefulness (all in gold). A silver star with five points sits above his right arm (representing Massachusetts as one of the original thirteen states).
The crest above consists of a braid of blue and gold, with a right arm grasping a broadsword. The sword represents the state's Latin motto (written in gold on a blue ribbon around the bottom of the shield): “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” which means: “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”
