Symbols
College Seal
Legend has it that the sun symbolizes Bowdoin's location as the easternmost college in the United States.
The origins of the image of the sun on the college seal remain a mystery. Campus legend has it that the sun symbolizes Bowdoin's location as the easternmost college in the United States at the time of the seal's adoption in 1798. This interpretation is almost certainly incorrect, as first Gerald Brault (a former instructor in French at Bowdoin), and then Susan Wegner, (associate professor of art at Bowdoin) have shown. The college charter of 1794 specifies the use of seals for the President and Board of Trustees, and for the Board of Overseers, but makes no mention of their design. The first seal was created in 1798 by Joseph Callender of Boston. While over the years different versions of the sun's face and the rays radiating from it have been used, the seal is essentially unchanged to this day. The seal on the right site uses Callender's original design, with the exception of the addition of the yellow color to provide contrast on the screen.
The Sun Dial
A sundial was built into the east and west facades of Hubbard Hall (designed by Henry Vaughan in 1903) on the Bowdoin campus. Originally created as an architectural adornment, the sundial has become a familiar symbol at Bowdoin.
The Bowdoin Pines
The pines are believed to be among the last remaining "mast pines," in Maine.
The Pines are an enduring Bowdoin symbol. They are believed to be among the last remaining "mast pines," those used for ships' masts, in Maine. Pines are everywhere on campus, but the north grove is the largest and most beautiful. On Earth Day '97, students and others worked to renew and clear trails among this stand of ancient trees. Built in the midst of a pine and hardwood grove, the College often used the pine as its symbol. A literary society and a college newsletter have been named for them; and pine boughs have graced Bowdoin bookplates, china, calendars, publications and stationery. Now the pines continue as the symbol of the Bowdoin Web site. Although thought of as a wild and ancient stand predating academia, the pines that today line the perimeter of the campus are part of a cultivated grove with few trees older than the college itself.
The Bowdoin Family Crest
The crest's motto, Ut Aquila Versus Coelum, means 'As an eagle towards the sky.'
Since 1811, the coat of arms of Governor James Bowdoin has been associated with the College bearing his name. The present version was designed and officially adopted by the Governing Boards in 1961. The crest, which bears the motto Ut Aquila Versus Coelum (as an eagle towards the sky), was most heavily used in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
The Polar Bear
The Bowdoin Polar Bear, a gift of the Class of 1912 on the occasion of their 25th reunion.
The polar bear first became the College mascot in 1913. As noted in the January 21, 1913 edition of The Bowdoin Orient (Bowdoin's student newspaper), the polar bear was selected as Bowdoin's official mascot in recognition of the exploration of the polar region by Bowdoin alumni Thomas H. Hubbard of the Class of 1857, Robert E. Peary of the Class of 1877, and Donald B. MacMillan of the Class of 1898.