Dei sub numine viget
“Under God’s power she flourishes.”
Motto of Princeton University
What does “Dei sub numine viget” mean?
Dei sub numine viget translates as “Under God’s power she flourishes.”
Growth and success under divine guidance.
“Dei sub numine viget” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Dei | of God | genitive singular of deus, “god”; the genitive (“of”) shows possession, so “God’s” |
| sub | under | a preposition that takes the ablative here, meaning “under” the authority or protection of something |
| numine | power, divine will | ablative singular of numen, “divine power, divine will” (a neuter noun of the third declension), the object of sub |
| viget | she flourishes, he thrives | third person singular present indicative active of vigeo, “I thrive, I am vigorous”; the subject is not stated, so “she” (the university) is understood from context |
How to pronounce “Dei sub numine viget”
The main differences are v (w in Classical, v in Church Latin) and g before e (hard g in Classical, j in Church Latin). Stress falls on the first syllable of Dei and viget, and on the second-to-last syllable of numine.
The story behind it
Word for word the motto says “Under the power of God she flourishes”. The subject of viget is left unstated, and the phrase is usually read as speaking of the university itself.
It is the motto of Princeton University in New Jersey, which was founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey and took the name Princeton in 1896. The phrase is modern Latin written for the institution, not a line from a Roman author.
The wording draws on the old Christian idea that learning and growth depend on divine favour. Princeton’s seal shows the motto, and it still appears on university insignia.
How to use “Dei sub numine viget”
Fits a tattoo, a graduation card or a personal motto for someone who sees their growth or success as resting on faith. It also suits a Princeton-related gift, caption or print.
- Latin
- Dei sub numine viget
- English
- Under God’s power she flourishes.
- Source
- Motto of Princeton University
- Era
- Modern Latin
- Theme
- Growth
Common mistakes
- Viget has no stated subject, so “she” is a choice of translation. “He flourishes” or “it flourishes” are equally possible grammatically.
- Numen is not the same as Deus: it means divine power or will, so “under God’s power” is closer than a plain “under God”.
- The phrase is often misspelled “Dei sub nomine” (“in the name of God”), which changes the meaning completely.
- It is a university motto from the modern era, not an ancient Roman saying.
Questions about “Dei sub numine viget”
What does “Dei sub numine viget” mean literally?
“Under the power of God she flourishes.” Dei is “of God”, sub numine is “under the divine power”, and viget is “she thrives”.
Whose motto is “Dei sub numine viget”?
It is the motto of Princeton University in New Jersey, and it appears on the university’s seal.
How do you pronounce “Dei sub numine viget”?
In Classical Latin: DEH-ee soob NOO-mih-neh WIH-get. In Church Latin: DEH-ee soob NOO-mee-neh VEE-jet.
Is “Dei sub numine viget” good Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound. Be aware that viget is third person singular and refers to a “she”, “he” or “it”, so it works best as a quotation rather than as a statement about yourself.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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