What is Harvard's motto and what does it mean?
I'm starting my college search and Harvard is one of the schools I'm interested in. I keep seeing the word 'Veritas' associated with Harvard everywhere, but I'm not totally sure what it stands for or why the school picked it as their motto.
If anyone knows the history behind Harvard's motto and what it's supposed to represent, I'd really appreciate it if you could explain! I think it's cool how colleges have unique phrases but I want to know what Harvard's actually means, beyond just the word itself.
If anyone knows the history behind Harvard's motto and what it's supposed to represent, I'd really appreciate it if you could explain! I think it's cool how colleges have unique phrases but I want to know what Harvard's actually means, beyond just the word itself.
2 weeks ago
•
47 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
Harvard’s motto is “Veritas,” which is a Latin word meaning “truth.” The word appears prominently on Harvard’s shield and throughout campus, and it represents the university’s commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual honesty.
Harvard first began using “Veritas” in the 17th century. The earliest version of the college’s seal with the word actually dates back to 1643, but it wasn’t made official until much later, in 1843, when some early sketches were rediscovered in university archives. The original seal showed three open books with the letters V-E-R-I-T-A-S displayed across them. These open books are meant to symbolize a dedication to learning and discovery—fitting for a university dedicated to scholarship.
By choosing “Veritas,” Harvard aimed to highlight its mission to seek the truth in all academic disciplines, and to encourage students and faculty to be guided by integrity and the honest pursuit of understanding.
Harvard first began using “Veritas” in the 17th century. The earliest version of the college’s seal with the word actually dates back to 1643, but it wasn’t made official until much later, in 1843, when some early sketches were rediscovered in university archives. The original seal showed three open books with the letters V-E-R-I-T-A-S displayed across them. These open books are meant to symbolize a dedication to learning and discovery—fitting for a university dedicated to scholarship.
By choosing “Veritas,” Harvard aimed to highlight its mission to seek the truth in all academic disciplines, and to encourage students and faculty to be guided by integrity and the honest pursuit of understanding.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years