Study Seals US – Videos, Quiz & More

Alabama

The coat of arms of Alabama depicts a shield upon which is carried the symbols of the five states which have at various times held sovereignty over a part or the whole of what is now Alabama. These are the ancient coat of arms of France (three fleurs-de-lis), the ancient coat of arms of Crown of Castile for Spain (Castile quartering León), the modern Union Jack of the United Kingdom (anachronistically, since a different version of the British flag would have been flown in British West Florida and the Province of Georgia long before the Alabama Territory was established) and the battle flag of the Confederate States. On an escutcheon of pretence is borne the shield of the United States. The crest of the coat represents a ship (the 'Badine') which brought the French colonists who established the first permanent European settlements in the territory. Below is the state motto: Audemus jura nostra defendere, meaning 'We dare defend our rights.' (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Alaska

The Seal of the State of Alaska was first adopted before statehood, when the area was known as the District of Alaska. The first governor designated a seal of the district which featured glaciers, northern lights, igloos and an Inuit person ice fishing. In 1910, this seal was replaced with a design more representative of the state's industrial and natural wealth. Today's seal contains rays above the mountains that represent the Alaskan northern lights. The smelter symbolizes mining, the train stands for Alaska's railroads and ships denote transportation by sea. The trees pictured in the seal symbolize the state's wealth of timber, and the farmer, his horse and the three shocks of wheat stand for Alaskan agriculture. The fish and the seals signify the importance of fishing and seal rookeries to Alaska's economy. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Arizona

The Great Seal of the State of Arizona. According to Article 22, Section 20 of the State of Arizona Constitution by the Arizona State Legislature: Section 20. 'The seal of the State shall be of the following design: In the background shall be a range of mountains, with the sun rising behind the peaks thereof, and at the right side of the range of mountains there shall be a storage reservoir and a dam, below which in the middle distance are irrigated fields and orchards reaching into the foreground, at the right of which are cattle grazing. To the left in the middle distance on a mountainside is a quartz mill in front of which and in the foreground is a miner standing with pick and shovel. Above this device shall be the motto: 'Ditat Deus.' In a circular band surrounding the whole device shall be inscribed: 'Great Seal of The State of Arizona', with the year of admission of the State into the Union.' (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Arkansas

The Great Seal of Arkansas is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the Government of Arkansas. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself, which is kept by the Governor of Arkansas, and more generally for the design impressed upon it. The Great Seal was modified to its present form on May 23, 1907. Title 1 of the Arkansas Code specifies that the seal “shall present the following impressions, devices and emblems, to wit: An eagle at the bottom, holding a scroll in its beak, inscribed ‘Regnat populus,’ a bundle of arrows in one claw and an olive branch in the other; a shield covering the breast of the eagle, engraved with a steamboat at top, a beehive and plow in the middle, and sheaf of wheat at the bottom; the Goddess of Liberty at the top, holding a wreath in her right hand, a pole in the left hand, surmounted by a liberty cap, and surrounded by a circle of stars outside of which is a circle of rays; the figure of an angel on the left, inscribed ‘Mercy,’ and a sword on the right hand, inscribed ‘Justice,’ surrounded with the words ‘Seal of the State of Arkansas.’ ” (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

California

The Great Seal of the State of California was adopted at the California state Constitutional Convention of 1849 and has undergone minor design changes since then, the last being the standardization of the seal in 1937. The seal shows Athena in Greek mythology, the goddess of wisdom and war, because she was born an adult, and California was never a territory; a California grizzly bear, the official state animal, feeding on grape vines, representing California's wine production; a sheaf of grain, representing agriculture; a miner, representing the California Gold Rush and the mining industry; and sailing ships, representing the state's economic power. The word Eureka (εύρηκα in Greek), meaning 'I have found it', is the California state motto. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Colorado

The Great Seal of the State of Colorado is an adaptation of the territorial seal which was adopted by the First Territorial Assembly on November 6, 1861. The only changes made to the territorial seal design being the substitution of the words, 'State of Colorado' and the figures '1876' for the corresponding inscriptions on the territorial seal. The first General Assembly of the State of Colorado approved the adoption of the state seal on March 15, 1877. The Colorado Secretary of State alone is authorized to affix the Great Seal of Colorado to any document whatsoever. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Connecticut

The Great Seal of the State of Connecticut has been the coat of arms of the U.S. state of Connecticut since May 1784. It depicts three grapevines and a ribbon below with the Latin motto: Qui Transtulit Sustinet (English: He who transplanted sustains), with SIGILLUM REIPUBLICÆ CONNECTICUTENSIS (English: Seal of the State of Connecticut) in the border. The grapevines are said to represent more specifically either early towns or the early individual colonies. Some 19th-century versions of the Connecticut Great Seal show several grapevines. The best answer today is that the grapevines should be taken to represent the three original colonies of Connecticut: (Hartford), Quinnipiac (New-Haven), and Saybrook, though it can also represent the first three settlements of the Connecticut colony proper- Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield, as New Haven and Saybrook were reluctant additions to Connecticut. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Delaware

The great seal of the state of Delaware was first adopted on January 17, 1777, with the current version being adopted April 29, 2004. It contains the state coat of arms surrounded by an inscription. The seal now used as the Great Seal of this State and bearing the arms of this State shall be the Great Seal of this State. It is emblazoned as follows: Party per fess, or and argent, the first charged with a garb (wheat sheaf) in bend dexter and an ear of maize (Indian Corn) in bend sinister, both proper; the second charged with an ox statant, ruminating, proper; fess, wavy azure, supporters on the dexter a husbandman with a hilling hoe, on the sinister a rifleman armed and accoutered at ease. Crest, on a wreath azure and argent, a ship under full sail, proper, with the words 'Great Seal of the State of Delaware,' the dates '1704, 1776, and 1787,' and the words 'Liberty and Independence' engraved thereon. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Florida

The Great Seal of the State of Florida is used to represent the government of the state of Florida, and for various official purposes, such as to seal official documents and legislation. It is commonly used on state government buildings, vehicles, and other effects of the state government. It also appears on the state flag of Florida. The University of Florida was granted the right to use the seal to represent the university. The seal features a shoreline on which a Seminole woman is spreading flowers. Legend says that the woman is the historical heroine Milly Francis, but there is no documentation supporting this.: 159 Two Sabal palms (Florida's state tree) are growing. In the background, a steamboat sails before a sun breaks the horizon, with rays of sunlight extending into the sky. The seal is encircled with the words 'Great Seal of the State of Florida', and 'In God We Trust' (the state motto). (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Georgia

The Great Seal of the State of Georgia is a device that has historically been used to authenticate government documents executed by the state of Georgia. The first great seal of the state was specified in the State Constitution of 1777, and its current form was adopted in 1799 with alterations in 1914. Its specifications are currently spelled out by statute. The original seal from 1777 was specified as such: 'The great seal of this State shall have the following device: on one side of a scroll, whereon shall be engraved “The Constitution of the State of Georgia;” and the motto “Pro bono publico.” On the other side, an elegant house, and other buildings, fields of corn, and meadows covered with sheep and cattle; a river running through the same, with a ship under full sail, and the motto, “Deus nobis haec otia fecit.” (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Hawaii

The Great Seal of the State of Hawaii was designated officially by Act 272 of the 1959 Territorial Legislature and is based on the territorial seal. Modifications to the territorial seal included the use of the words 'State of Hawaii' at the top and '1959' within the circle. Provisions for a seal for the state of Hawaii were enacted by the Territorial Legislature and approved by Governor William F. Quinn on June 8, 1959. The passage of the Admission Act in 1959, admitted Hawaii as the 50th State of the United States of America on August 21, 1959. The seal of the Territory of Hawaii was the same as the seal of the republic, except that it had 'Territory of Hawaii' placed at the top and '1900' (signifying the year that the territorial government officially was organized) within the circle. The 1901 Territorial Legislature authorized the modified republic seal as the Seal of the Territory of Hawaii. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Idaho

The seal of the Territory of Idaho was adopted in 1863 and redrawn several times before statehood in 1890. The state Great Seal was designed by Emma Edwards Green, the only woman to design a U.S. state seal. The seal depicts a miner and a woman representing equality, liberty and justice. The symbols on the seal represent some of Idaho's natural resources: mines, forests, farmland and wildlife. The current seal contains the text 'Great Seal of the State of Idaho' in the outer ring, with the star that signifies a new light in the galaxy of states. The inner ring contains a banner with the Latin motto, Esto perpetua ('Let it be perpetual' or 'It is forever'). A woman (signifying justice) and a man (dressed as a miner) support a shield. The miner represents the chief industry of the state at the time of statehood. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Illinois

The Great Seal of the State of Illinois is the official emblem of the U.S. state, and signifies the official nature of a document produced by the state of Illinois. The flag of the state of Illinois consists of the seal of Illinois on a white background, with the word 'Illinois' underneath the seal. The present seal was adopted in 1869, the flag bearing the central elements of the seal was adopted in 1915, and the word Illinois was added to the flag in 1970. In a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association, the flag of Illinois was ranked 49th out of 72 different flags of states and territories, mainly in the US and Canada. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Indiana

The seal of Indiana is used by the governor of Indiana to certify official documents of the U.S. state of Indiana. The seal has gone through several revisions since the region was a part of the Northwest Territory. It is likely that the original seal, which is similar to the current one, was created by William Henry Harrison during his administration of the Indiana Territory. The current design of the seal was standardized by the Indiana General Assembly in 1963. The state seal is maintained by the Governor of Indiana. It is used to certify the authenticity of official state documents. The seal is placed on departmental reports, bills the Governor signs into law, and official communications from the Governor to other high-ranking office holders. The seal is also used on all commissions granted by the state as proof of the commission's authority. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Iowa

The Great Seal of the State of Iowa was created in 1847 (one year after Iowa became a U.S. state) and depicts a citizen soldier standing in a wheat field surrounded by symbols including farming, mining, and transportation with the Mississippi River in the background. An eagle overhead bears the state motto. The state seal supplanted the Iowa Territory seal (1838–1846), which consisted of a Federal eagle holding an arrow in its mouth and a bow in its talon. 'The Seal of Iowa contains the following simple device: An Eagle In the attitude of flight grasping in its dexter talon a Bow and holding in its beak an arrow. Around the border of the seal are the words, SEAL OF THE TERRITORY OF IOWA.' The territorial seal was the basis for other state seals, including the first seal of the University of Iowa and the State Historical Society of Iowa, as well as the Civil War Arms of Iowa; these later seals had the bow held in the left talon, rather than the right. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Kansas

The Great Seal of the State of Kansas tells the history of Kansas. The seal contains: Landscape with a rising sun (the east), River and steamboat (commerce), Settler's cabin and a man plowing a field (agriculture), Wagon train heading west (American expansion / pioneer life), Indians hunting American Bison (the buffalo are fleeing from the Indians), Cluster of 34 stars (top of the seal) – identifying Kansas as the 34th state to be accepted into the Union of the United States. State motto 'Ad Astra per Aspera' (Latin: 'To the Stars through Difficulties') The seal is used on the Flag of the State of Kansas. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Kentucky

The Seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky was adopted in December 1792. Since that time, it has undergone several revisions. The current seal depicts two men, one in buckskin, and the other in more formal dress. The men are facing each other and clasping hands. The outer ring of the seal is adorned with the words 'Commonwealth of Kentucky', and within the inner circle is the state motto 'United we stand, divided we fall.' The official colors of the seal are blue and gold. A version of the seal appears on the flag of Kentucky. Popular belief claims that the buckskin-clad man on the left is Daniel Boone, who was largely responsible for the exploration of Kentucky, and the man in the suit on the right is Henry Clay, Kentucky's most famous statesman. However, the official explanation is that the men represent all frontiersmen and statesmen, rather than any specific persons. The motto 'United we stand, divided we fall' comes from the lyrics of 'The Liberty Song', a patriotic song from the American Revolution. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Louisiana

The Seal of Louisiana (French: Sceau de la Louisiane) is the official government emblem of the State of Louisiana. Originally devised in 1812, the latest version was enacted in 2006. The Great Seal of the State of Louisiana was adopted as the official state seal of Louisiana in 1902. The seal consists of a heraldic charge of the 'pelican in her piety', representing a brown pelican (the official state bird) wounding her breast to feed her young from her own blood. This symbol, emblematic of Christian charity, is also found on the Louisiana state flag. The Louisiana state motto 'Union, Justice, Confidence' surrounds the birds on the state seal. An outer ring further identifies it with the words 'State of Louisiana'. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Maine

The Great Seal of the State of Maine was adopted in June 1820. The concept of the design is attributed to Benjamin Vaughan of Hallowell, Maine, while the original sketch is credited to Bertha Smouse, the step-daughter of Col. Isaac Reed of Waldoboro, Maine, who purportedly wrote its official description and explanation. There have been variations in the details of the seal, but the overall design and images remain true to the original. The center of the seal is a shield adorned with a tranquil scene of a moose resting in a field bordered by water and woods; a pine tree stands tall directly behind the moose. On either side of the shield, a farmer rests on his scythe, and a sailor leans on an anchor. Above the shield is the motto 'Dirigo' (I direct) and a stylized North Star. Below the shield is a banner that reads 'Maine'. The legislature of 1919 decided that the design of the seal should no longer vary, and the design is still used today. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Maryland

The Great Seal of the State of Maryland is the official government emblem of the U.S. state of Maryland. Its official service is to authenticate acts by the General Assembly of Maryland (state legislature), but it is also used for display purposes at most state buildings. Although the state seal has been changed in design several times throughout history, the current model represents the reverse side of the original seal. The seal consists of two sides, a reverse and an obverse. In official contexts, only the reverse side is used. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Massachusetts

The Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts contains the coat of arms of Massachusetts. The coat of arms is encircled by the Latin text 'Sigillum Reipublicæ Massachusettensis' (literally, The Seal of the Republic of Massachusetts). The Massachusetts Constitution designates the form of government a 'commonwealth', for which Respublica is the correct Latin term. The Seal uses as its central element the Coat of Arms of Massachusetts. An official emblem of the State, the Coat of Arms was adopted by the Legislature in 1775, and then reaffirmed by Governor John Hancock and his Council on December 13, 1780. The present rendition of the seal was drawn by resident-artist Edmund H. Garrett, and was adopted by the state in 1900. While the inscription around the seal is officially in Latin, a variant with 'Commonwealth of Massachusetts' in English is also sometimes used. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Michigan

The Great Seal of the State of Michigan depicts the coat of arms of the U.S. state of Michigan on a light blue field. On the dark blue shield the Sun rises over a lake and peninsula, a man holding a long gun with a raised hand represents peace and the ability to defend his rights. The elk and moose are symbols of Michigan, while the bald eagle represents the United States. The design features three Latin mottos. From top to bottom they are: On the red ribbon: E Pluribus Unum, 'Out of many, one', a motto of the United States, On the blue shield: Tuebor, 'I will defend', On the white ribbon: Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice, 'If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you,' which is the official state motto. It was adopted in 1835 and said to have been suggested by the tribute to architect Christopher Wren at Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, which reads Si monumentum requiris, circumspice (Latin 'If you seek [his] monument, look around you'). (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Minnesota

The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota is the state seal of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Originally adopted in 1858 following Minnesota's statehood, the seal's original version is an adaptation of Minnesota's territorial seal modified by the state's first governor and fur trader, Henry Hastings Sibley. It has been modified several times by the state legislature since 1858, including in 1971 and 1983. The seal's design symbolizes many important aspects to Minnesota's history and culture; such as the growth of industry powered by Saint Anthony Falls, the state's Native American heritage, the importance of industries like lumber and agriculture, and the taming of the wilderness by the state's early pioneers. The seal is prominently featured on the Flag of Minnesota. In recent years, the seal and the flag have prompted backlash and controversy for its perceived depiction of Minnesota and Native Americans. In 2023, the state legislature created a commission to redesign both the seal and the state flag. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Mississippi

The Great Seal of the State of Mississippi was adopted in 2014, replacing a previous version that was used since the 19th century. The eagle is positioned in the center of the seal, with its wings spread wide and its head held high. Stars and stripes adorn its chest. In its talons, the eagle grasps an olive branch symbolizing a desire for peace and a quiver of arrows representing the power to wage war. The outer circle of the seal contains the text 'The Great Seal of the State of Mississippi' at the top and the words 'In God We Trust' at the bottom. The governor of Mississippi is tasked by the constitution with safeguarding the seal. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Missouri

The Great Seal of Missouri is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the Government of Missouri. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself, which is kept by the secretary of state, and more generally for the design impressed upon it. The Great Seal was designed by Robert Wells of Jefferson City. The center of the seal contains the Great Seal of the United States on the right side, and, on the left, symbols representing the state. On both sides of the center circle, a bear, represents strength and bravery; a crescent moon, a symbol of the Virgin Mary and a nod to the French who first settled Missouri, represents the newness of statehood and the potential for growth. Surrounding these symbols is the motto 'United we stand, divided we fall'. The belt buckle signifies the State's ability to secede from the Union if deemed necessary, i.e., the belt can be unbuckled. Two mighty bears, representing Missouri's native bears, support this center shield. A scroll carries the state motto, Salus populi suprema lex esto, a Latin phrase meaning 'Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law.' The year 1820 is inscribed in Roman numerals below the scroll, although Missouri was not officially granted statehood until 1821. A star representing each of the other states of the Union (Missouri became the 24th) graces the top portion of the seal. The outer circle of the seal bears the words 'The Great Seal of the State of Missouri'. Above the shield is a helmet representing Missouri's state sovereignty. The large star above the helmet surrounded by 23 smaller stars represents Missouri's status as the 24th state. The cloud around the stars indicates the problems Missouri had in becoming a state. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Montana

The Great Seal of the State of Montana was adopted in 1865, when Montana was a United States Territory. When it became a state in 1889, it was decided to use the same seal. In 1891, proposals were made to make changes or adopt a brand new seal, but none of these proposals passed legislation. The outer ring of the seal contains the text 'The Great Seal of the State of Montana'. The inner circle depicts a landscape of mountains, plains and forests by the Great Falls on the Missouri River. A plow, a pick and a shovel are depicted on the front, representing the state's industry. The banner at the bottom of the seal reads the territorial motto of Oro y Plata, meaning 'Gold and Silver' in Spanish. Montana also has many popular unofficial mottos including 'The last best Place' and 'Big Sky Country' (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Nebraska

The Great Seal of the State of Nebraska was adopted by the Nebraska legislature on June 15, 1867. It depicts a blacksmith working at an anvil along with various other symbols related to Nebraska during the early days of its statehood. The 1867 legislative act that established the seal describes it in these words: The eastern part of the circle to be represented by a steamboat ascending the Missouri river; the mechanic arts to be represented by a smith with hammer and anvil; in the foreground, agriculture to be represented by a settler's cabin, sheaves of wheat and stalks of growing corn; in the background a train of cars heading towards the Rocky Mountains, and on the extreme west, the Rocky Mountains to be plainly in view; around the top of this circle to be in capital letters, the motto. 'EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW,' and the circle to be surrounded with the words, 'Great Seal of the State of Nebraska, March 1st, 1867.' (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Nevada

The Great Seal of the State of Nevada is derived from the Seal of the Territory of Nevada. As Nevada prepared for statehood in 1864, its Constitutional Convention began to formalize the features of the state's official seal. Nevada was admitted as a state on October 31, 1864 by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. On February 24, 1866, the motto 'Volens et Potens' ('Willing and Able') was replaced by 'All for Our Country'. The design of the seal was formalized, and Nevada's mineral resources are featured with a silver miner and his team moving a cartload of ore from a mountain in the foreground. A quartz mill stands before another mountain. Transportation and communication are symbolized by a train steaming across the background, with telegraph poles spanning the distance. Agriculture is represented by a sheaf of wheat, a sickle, and a plow in the foreground. Nevada's natural environment is symbolized by a brilliant sun rising over snow-capped peaks. The inner circle of the seal carries the motto 'All for Our Country', and Nevada's entry into the Union as the 36th state is shown with 36 stars completing the inner ring. The perimeter of the seal proclaims 'The Great Seal of the State of Nevada'. Mark Twain was said to have convinced the designer to make the two trails of smoke blow in opposite directions as a prank, which was later rectified when the mistake was realized. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

New Hampshire

New Hampshire's state seal depicts the frigate USS Raleigh and is surrounded by a laurel wreath with nine stars. The Raleigh is one of the first 13 warships sponsored by the Continental Congress for a new American navy, built in 1776, at Portsmouth. The seal is surrounded by a laurel wreath. The wreath is an ancient symbol of fame, honor, and victory. The nine stars within the wreath show that New Hampshire was the ninth state to join the Union. The water stands for the harbor of Portsmouth, and in the yellow-colored spit of land is granite, a strong igneous rock, representing both New Hampshire's rugged landscape and the sturdy character of her people. In 1784, when the present state constitution became effective, the legislature revised the seal to depict a ship on stocks, with a rising sun in the background, to reflect Portsmouth having become a major shipbuilding center during the American Revolutionary War. Over the years, various items for shipment were also shown on the frontal dock in the seal. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

New Jersey

The coat of arms of the state of New Jersey includes: A shield with three plows, representative of New Jersey's agricultural tradition. A forward-facing helmet. A horse's head as the crest of the helmet. The female figures Liberty and Ceres, representative of the state's motto (see next item). Liberty is holding a staff supporting a stylized Phrygian cap; Ceres is holding an overflowing cornucopia. The streamer at the foot of the emblem contains the State Motto of New Jersey, 'Liberty and Prosperity', and the year of statehood, 1776. It was originally designed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere in 1777 and was modified slightly in 1928. The seal is the central motif in the flag of New Jersey and the great seal of the state of New Jersey. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

New Mexico

The Great Seal of the State of New Mexico is the official seal of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is enshrined in Article V, Section 10, of the New Mexico State Constitution, which requires a state emblem to be kept by the secretary of state for official documents and other expressions of statehood. Rooted in the official seal of the New Mexico Territory established in 1851, it was adopted in 1913, one year after New Mexico was admitted as the 47th state. The 'American eagle' is an American bald eagle. The 'Mexican eagle' with serpent and cactus is from the coat of arms of Mexico, in turn derived from an Aztec myth of the foundation of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. Although in Mexico the Mexican eagle is understood to be an American golden eagle, the New Mexico seal uses an American harpy eagle. Mexico adopted its coat of arms when it was under Spanish rule, and New Mexico identified with it as well. On the New Mexico seal, it symbolizes that the state still holds on to its Spanish, Mexican and Native American traditions. The Mexican eagle is small and shielded by the larger American eagle, which grasps arrows in its talons, its wings outstretched with its watchful eyes guarding the Mexican eagle. This configuration is meant to show the change of sovereignty in 1846 between Mexico and the United States. It also symbolizes America's dominant yet delicate protection of New Mexico and its heritage and culture. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

New York

The state seal of New York features the state arms (officially adopted in 1778) surrounded by the words 'The Great Seal of the State of New York'. A banner below shows the New York State motto Excelsior, Latin for 'Ever Upward', and the secondary motto E Pluribus Unum, Latin for 'Out of Many, One'—adopted in 2020. Allegorical figures of Liberty (left) and Justice (right) support the shield and an American eagle spreads its wings above on a world globe. Liberty's left foot treads on a crown, a symbol of freedom from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and holds a staff topped with a Phrygian Cap, a symbol of freedom and the pursuit of liberty. Justice is blindfolded and holds a sword in one hand and a scale in the other, symbolizing impartiality and fairness. The center shield displays a masted ship and a sloop on the Hudson River (symbols of inland and foreign commerce) bordered by a grassy shore and a mountain range with the sun rising behind it. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

North Carolina

The Great Seal of North Carolina is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the Government of North Carolina. The Great Seal was modified to its present form in 1983. 'The background on the seal shall contain a depiction of mountains running from the left to the right to the middle of the seal. A side view of a three-masted ship shall be located on the ocean and to the right of Plenty. The date 'May 20, 1775' shall appear within the seal and across the top of the seal and the words 'esse quam videri' shall appear at the bottom around the perimeter. No other words, figures or other embellishments shall appear on the seal (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

North Dakota

The Great Seal of the State of North Dakota is the official seal of the U.S. state of North Dakota. The coloring added to the seal varies by source. The seal is based on the description of the seal of the Territory of Dakota, enacted in 1862-3: A tree in an open field, the trunk of which is surrounded by three bundles of wheat; on the right a plow, anvil and sledge; on the left, a bow crossed with three arrows, and an Indian on horseback pursuing a buffalo toward the setting sun; the foliage of the tree arched by a half circle of forty-two stars. It is surrounded by the motto 'LIBERTY AND UNION NOW AND FOREVER, ONE AND INSEPARABLE', from Daniel Webster's Reply to Hayne; the words 'GREAT SEAL' at the top; 'STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA' at the bottom; 'OCTOBER 1st' on the left and '1889' on the right. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Ohio

The Great Seal of the State of Ohio is the official insignia of the U.S. state of Ohio. All governmental offices, agencies, and courts in Ohio use variations of the state seal. Its primary feature is a circular coat of arms that depicts a sunrise in Chillicothe, Ohio's first capital, along with symbols of the state's origins. The seal sometimes appears with the state motto, 'With God, All Things Are Possible'. Shortly after its establishment in 1803, the state adopted a seal based on a sketch by Secretary of State William Creighton, Jr. Except for a brief period during the 1860s, the layout and details were left largely unregulated until a standardized coat of arms, based on the original design, was introduced in 1967. The coat of arms was modified most recently in 1996. Each of Ohio's 88 counties maintains its own official seal based on the state seal. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Oklahoma

The Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma consists of a five-pointed star in a circle. According to a statute adopted in 1957, the flag of the governor of Oklahoma consists of a forest green field, fringed in gold, charged with the state seal surrounded by a pentagram of five white stars. The center of the star contains the seal of the original Territory of Oklahoma. The seal contains the words Labor Omnia Vincit, meaning 'Labor Conquers All Things'. Columbia is the central figure, representing justice and statehood. She is surrounded by an image of the American pioneer farmer on her right and the aboriginal American Indian on her left, both of whom are shaking hands beneath the scales of Justice, symbolizing equal justice between the Anglo and Native American races in Oklahoma and on the part of the federal government. Beneath the trio is the cornucopia of plenty and the olive branch of peace, and behind is the sun of progress and civilization. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Oregon

The Seal of the State of Oregon is the official seal of the U.S. state of Oregon. It was designed by Harvey Gordon in 1857, two years before Oregon was admitted to the Union. The seal was preceded by the Salmon Seal of the Provisional Government and the Seal of the Oregon Territory. The state seal is mandated by Article VI of the Oregon Constitution. The first seal for Oregon was during the Provisional Government that ran from 1843 to 1849. That government used the Salmon Seal, a round seal featuring three sheaves of grain and a single salmon. The salmon was at the bottom, with Oregon along the top. The salmon was designed to symbolize the fishing industry and the grain to represent agriculture. Designed to be neutral concerning the Oregon Question and whether the U.S. or Britain would ultimately control the region, the seal was used until the Oregon Territory was created and the territorial government arrived in 1849. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Pennsylvania

The Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the state seal for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to the state's website, the seal was authorized by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1791, and is 'a symbol of authenticity which verifies that proclamations, commissions and other papers of state are legal and official.' The obverse of the seal has a central image of a shield containing a ship under full sail, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat. These symbols represent the importance of commerce, labor, perseverance, and agriculture to the state's economy, as well as several of its geographic components (Philadelphia represented by the ship, for example). On either side of the shield are a stalk of Indian corn and an olive branch, representing the state's recognition of its past and hopes for the future. Atop the shield an eagle proudly symbolizes the state's sovereignty. The outer ring of the seal bears the words 'Seal of the State of Pennsylvania,' despite the state's official designation as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The reverse side, or counterseal, pictures Lady Liberty dominating Tyranny in the form of a lion, along with the warning across the top, 'Both Can't Survive.' (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Rhode Island

The Seal of the State of Rhode Island features a blue field with a golden maritime anchor as its central image below the phrase 'HOPE'. The anchor has been used as a symbol for Rhode Island since the colony's founding in 1636, well before the region claimed statehood. Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Christian minister, Anne Hutchinson, and others seeking religious freedom from persecution in Massachusetts and Europe. The seal's words and emblems were likely inspired by the biblical phrase 'hope we have as an anchor of the soul,' found in Hebrews, Verse 6:18-19. After Roger Williams received an official charter in England in 1644, the word 'Hope' was placed over the seal's anchor and still remains. The outer circle of the seal reads Seal of the State of Rhode Island 1636. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

South Carolina

The Great Seal of the State of South Carolina was adopted in 1776. South Carolina's seal is made up of two elliptical areas, linked by branches of the palmetto tree. The image on the left is dominated by a tall palmetto tree and an oak tree, fallen and broken. This scene represents the battle fought on June 28, 1776, between defenders of the unfinished fort on Sullivan's Island, and the British Fleet. The standing palmetto represents the victorious defenders, and the fallen oak is the British Fleet. Banded together on the palmetto with the motto Quis separabit? ('Who will separate [us]?'), are 12 spears that represent the other original 12 states of the Union. Beneath that is enscrolled another of the alternate state mottoes, 'Meliorem Lapsa Locavit' ('Having Fallen, She Has Set Up a Better One') with the date of 1776. Surrounding the image, at the top, is 'South Carolina', and below, is Animis opibusque parati ('Prepared in mind and resources'). The other image on the seal depicts the Roman goddess Spes walking along a shore that is littered with weapons. The goddess grasps a branch of laurel as the sun rises behind her. Below her image is her name, Spes, Latin for 'hope', and over the image is the motto Dum spiro spero, meaning 'While I breathe, I hope'. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

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