The official blazon of the arms calls for: A shield of rococo design of white field, having in the center three grape vines, supported and bearing fruit.

Below the shield shall be a white streamer, cleft at each end, bordered with two fine lines, and upon the streamer shall be in solid letters of medium bold Gothic the motto: "QUI TRANSTULIT SUSTINET" (He Who Transplanted Still Sustains) While adopted in 1931, the coat of arms had appeared on the state flag since 1887.

The motto has been re-used for the name of Connecticut’s SustiNet program to provide health care to state residents.

Some 19th-century versions of the Connecticut Great Seal show several grapevines.

Coats of arms of similar design, but of differing tinctures, are used in the state, including on that of the governor.