The Mace of the South Carolina House of Representatives

Submitted by Desire'e on Wed, 10/20/2021 - 13:01

The South Carolina House of Representatives Mace is the oldest legislative mace in use in the United States. The Mace was made in London by Magdalen Feline in 1756.  Upon the opening of the session, the Sergeant-at-Arms will bear the mace ahead of the Speaker and lay it upon a specially prepared rack on the rostrum in front of the Speaker. The Mace remains on its rack until recess or adjournment. 

The State Sword of South Carolina

Submitted by Desire'e on Wed, 10/20/2021 - 11:54

The State Sword of South Carolina is a symbol for the South Carolina Senate and is placed in a cradle on the Senate rostrum whenever the Senate is in session. The current Sword was presented to the Senate on February 20, 1951, as a gift to South Carolina by Lord Halifax, former British ambassador to the United States, after learning of the theft of the original sword. 

South Carolina State Flag

Submitted by Desire'e on Wed, 10/20/2021 - 11:40
The General Assembly adopted the current version of South Carolina's flag on January 28, 1861. This version added the Palmetto tree to the original design by Colonel William Moultrie in 1775 for use by South Carolina troops during the Revolutionary War. 

South Carolina State Seal

Submitted by Desire'e on Wed, 10/20/2021 - 11:31

South Carolina's State Seal was designed by William Henry Drayton and Arthur Middleton in 1776. John Rutledge, the President of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina, used the Seal for the first time on May 22, 1777. The current seal is made up of two elliptical areas linked by branches of the palmetto tree. The left oval is the palmetto tree with a fallen oak at the base. The right oval is the goddess Spes (Hope) walking on the beach at dawn over discarded weapons.

South Carolina Mottoes

Submitted by Desire'e on Wed, 10/20/2021 - 09:33

South Carolina has two official mottoes: 

Animis Opibusque Parati (ah-ni-mis oh-pi-boos-kwe pah-rah-tee) means prepared in minds and resources. 

Dum Spiro Spero (doom spee-roh spey-roh) means while I breathe, I hope.