History & Facts

History & Facts

Symbols

College Seal

The Bowdoin College Seal
The origin of the sun on the Bowdoin seal has been widely debated. Some believe the sun was chosen due to Bowdoin’s location: the easternmost college in the country at the time of its founding. More likely is that the sun was selected as a symbol of truth and enlightenment, and to represent the rising sun of knowledge and the light of learning. The seal was created in 1798 by Joseph Callender of Boston and remains unchanged to this day.

The Polar Bear

Bowdoin bearThe tradition of the polar bear as a symbol for Bowdoin College can be traced to the discovery of the North Pole on April 6, 1909, by Admiral Robert E. Peary of the Bowdoin Class of 1877. The identification of the College with the Arctic and exploration has been consistent since that date. Even the College color — white — relates to the Arctic. Bowdoin varsity teams are known as the Polar Bears.



The Bowdoin Family Crest

Bowdoin family crestSince 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 Bowdoin Pines

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.