New York is a Goddess State
New York State has two goddesses that support the state. Liberty and Justice hail from an ancient lineage of divine females.
The New York State Coat of Arms
New York State's Interpretation of Liberty and Justice
The official New York State website interprets the coat of arms and the goddesses in this way:
Shield: A blue, unclouded sky with the golden sun and its rays centered behind a range of three mountains, the middle one the highest; below, a ship and sloop under sail, facing each other and about to meet on a river, bordered by a grassy shore fringed with shrubs, all in natural colors.
Crest: (above the shield) On a wreath of blue and gold, an American eagle in its natural colors, facing toward the right (considered a good omen) above a two-thirds global drawing of Earth, showing the north Atlantic Ocean with outlines of its shores.
Supporters: (the two figures on the outside of the shield) appear to be joined with the shield as a unit formed by the extension of the scroll.
Dexter: (To the left of the viewer's eye) The figure of Liberty in natural colors, her unbound hair decorated with pearls. She is clothed in blue with red sandals, a loose robe of red hanging down from her shoulders to her feet. In her right hand, she holds a staff topped with a gold Phrygian cap; her left arm is bent at the elbow, the hand supporting the shield at its top right. A royal crown lies at her left foot, thrown down to illustrate the lessening of power of the English monarchy.
Sinister: (To the right of the viewer's eye) The figure of Justice in natural colors, her unbound hair decorated with pearls. She is clothed in gold with a blue belt fringed in red, wearing sandals and a robe as Liberty, and bound about the eyes with a narrow band of cloth. In her right hand she holds a gold-handled sword, held erect, and resting on the top left point of the shield; left arm is also bent at the elbow, holding scales in front of her.
These Goddess Symbols are Important!
New York State has adopted 16 State symbols since 1955. But the state flag goes back to 1778. "Symbols provide a snapshot of what makes a state special. Each of New York's symbols pays tribute to a species or product of great importance to the state," writes Ellen Stegemann, in New York State Symbols: How Something Becomes a State Symbol.