Great Seal of the United States: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Great_Seal_of_the_United_States_(reverse).svg|thumb|Great_Seal_of_the_United_States_(reverse)]] [[file:Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_States.svg|right|thumb|Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_States]] [[file:Greater_coat_of_arms_of_the_United_States_(monochrome).svg|right|thumb|Greater_coat_of_arms_of_the_United_States_(monochrome)]] [[file:Usa_gerb_PNG2.png|thumb|Usa_gerb_PNG2]] [[file:US_passport_high_resolution.jpg|thumb|US_passport_high_resolution]] [[file:War_in_The_Apotheosis_of_Washington.jpg|thumb|War_in_The_Apotheosis_of_Washington]] [[file:GreatSealPress.jpg|thumb|GreatSealPress]] {{short description|Official seal of the United States}}
[[File:Great Seal of the United States (obverse).svg|thumb]] [[File:Great Seal of the United States (reverse).svg|thumb]] [[File:Greater coat of arms of the United States (monochrome).svg|thumb]] [[File:Usa gerb PNG2.png|thumb]] {{Infobox emblem
{{Infobox emblem
| name = Great Seal of the United States
| name = Great Seal of the United States
| image = US Great Seal obverse (transparent).svg
| image = Great_Seal_of_the_United_States_(obverse).svg
| image_width = 200
| image_size = 200px
| image2 = US Great Seal reverse (transparent).svg
| caption = The obverse of the Great Seal
| image2_width = 200
| middle =
| middle_width =
| middle_caption =
| armiger = [[United States]]
| year_adopted = 1782
| year_adopted = 1782
| motto = [[E Pluribus Unum]], [[Annuit cœptis]], [[Novus ordo seclorum]]
| motto = E Pluribus Unum
| earlier_versions =
| use =
}}
}}


The '''Great Seal of the United States''' is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the [[United States federal government]]. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself (which is kept by the [[United States Secretary of State]]) and more generally for the design impressed upon it. The Great Seal was first used publicly in 1782.
The '''Great Seal of the United States''' is a principal national symbol of the United States. It is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the federal government. The phrase "Great Seal" is used both for the physical seal itself (which is kept by the [[United States Department of State]]) and more generally for the design impressed upon it.


== Design ==
==History==
The obverse of the Great Seal depicts a [[bald eagle]] holding a bundle of thirteen [[arrows]] in its left talon and an [[olive branch]] in its right talon. The eagle has its head turned towards the olive branch, symbolizing a preference for peace. In its beak, the eagle clutches a scroll with the motto "[[E Pluribus Unum]]" (Latin for "Out of many, one"). Above the eagle, there is a cluster of thirteen stars surrounded by a glory, or burst of light.
The Great Seal was first used publicly in 1782. The design process for the seal began on July 4, 1776, when the [[Continental Congress]] appointed the first of three committees to develop a seal. The final design was approved on June 20, 1782.


The reverse of the Great Seal features an unfinished [[pyramid]] with thirteen steps, representing the original thirteen states. Above the pyramid is the [[Eye of Providence]] within a triangle. Above the eye is the motto "[[Annuit cœptis]]" (Latin for "He approves [our] undertakings"), and below the pyramid is a scroll with the motto "[[Novus ordo seclorum]]" (Latin for "New order of the ages").
==Design==
The Great Seal has two sides, the obverse and the reverse. The obverse features a bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, holding a scroll in its beak inscribed with the motto "[[E Pluribus Unum]]" ("Out of many, one"). The eagle clutches an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its left, symbolizing the power of peace and war. Above the eagle's head is a "glory" with thirteen stars, representing a new constellation.


== History ==
The reverse side of the seal, which is not used as frequently, features an unfinished pyramid with thirteen steps, representing the original thirteen states. Above the pyramid is the Eye of Providence, and below it is the motto "[[Novus ordo seclorum]]" ("A new order of the ages").
The design of the Great Seal was finalized and approved by the [[Continental Congress]] on June 20, 1782. The design process involved three committees and took six years to complete. The final design was largely the work of [[Charles Thomson]], the Secretary of the Continental Congress, and [[William Barton]], a heraldist.


== Usage ==
==Symbolism==
The Great Seal is used to authenticate documents such as [[treaties]] and [[commissions]]. The seal is affixed to the document by the [[United States Department of State]]. The design of the Great Seal is also used on the [[one-dollar bill]] and other official government documents.
The elements of the Great Seal are rich in symbolism. The bald eagle represents strength and freedom. The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war, respectively. The thirteen stars and stripes symbolize the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Britain.


== Symbolism ==
The pyramid on the reverse side signifies strength and duration, with the unfinished top indicating that the nation is still growing. The Eye of Providence suggests divine guidance, and the Latin mottoes reflect the founding ideals of the United States.
The elements of the Great Seal are rich in symbolism. The bald eagle represents strength and freedom. The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war, respectively. The thirteen stars, stripes, and steps on the pyramid allude to the original thirteen states. The Eye of Providence and the mottos reflect the belief in divine guidance and the new American nation.


== Related Pages ==
==Usage==
The Great Seal is used to authenticate documents such as treaties and commissions. The [[United States Secretary of State]] is the official custodian of the seal. The seal is also used on the [[Presidential Seal of the United States]] and the [[Seal of the Vice President of the United States]].
 
==Also see==
* [[Seal of the President of the United States]]
* [[Seal of the President of the United States]]
* [[Flag of the United States]]
* [[Seal of the Vice President of the United States]]
* [[National symbols of the United States]]
* [[United States Department of State]]
* [[Continental Congress]]
 
== See Also ==
* [[Bald eagle]]
* [[Olive branch]]
* [[Eye of Providence]]
* [[E Pluribus Unum]]
* [[E Pluribus Unum]]
* [[Annuit cœptis]]
* [[Novus ordo seclorum]]
* [[Novus ordo seclorum]]
* [[Eye of Providence]]


== References ==
{{United States national symbols}}
{{reflist}}


{{United States topics}}
{{USSeal}}
[[Category:National symbols of the United States]]
[[Category:National symbols of the United States]]
[[Category:United States Department of State]]
[[Category:Seals of the United States]]
[[Category:1782 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:1782 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Seals of the United States]]
{{US-stub}}

Latest revision as of 15:25, 9 December 2024

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The Great Seal of the United States is a principal national symbol of the United States. It is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the federal government. The phrase "Great Seal" is used both for the physical seal itself (which is kept by the United States Department of State) and more generally for the design impressed upon it.

History[edit]

The Great Seal was first used publicly in 1782. The design process for the seal began on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress appointed the first of three committees to develop a seal. The final design was approved on June 20, 1782.

Design[edit]

The Great Seal has two sides, the obverse and the reverse. The obverse features a bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, holding a scroll in its beak inscribed with the motto "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of many, one"). The eagle clutches an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its left, symbolizing the power of peace and war. Above the eagle's head is a "glory" with thirteen stars, representing a new constellation.

The reverse side of the seal, which is not used as frequently, features an unfinished pyramid with thirteen steps, representing the original thirteen states. Above the pyramid is the Eye of Providence, and below it is the motto "Novus ordo seclorum" ("A new order of the ages").

Symbolism[edit]

The elements of the Great Seal are rich in symbolism. The bald eagle represents strength and freedom. The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war, respectively. The thirteen stars and stripes symbolize the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Britain.

The pyramid on the reverse side signifies strength and duration, with the unfinished top indicating that the nation is still growing. The Eye of Providence suggests divine guidance, and the Latin mottoes reflect the founding ideals of the United States.

Usage[edit]

The Great Seal is used to authenticate documents such as treaties and commissions. The United States Secretary of State is the official custodian of the seal. The seal is also used on the Presidential Seal of the United States and the Seal of the Vice President of the United States.

Also see[edit]

Template:United States national symbols

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