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State Seals
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Delaware Symbols
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Delaware State SealGreat Seal of the State of Delaware
Adopted on January 17, 1777.
Delaware state seal was first adopted on January 17, 1777, and contains the coat of arms. It also bears the inscription around it "Great Seal of the State of Delaware" and the dates 1793, 1847, and 1907.
Mark major changes to the state seal.
- 1793: the farmer and militiaman were omitted.
- 1847: the two human figures were reinstated, and the motto adopted.
- 1907: a modernized version of the 1777 seal, with the words "State of Delaware" added.
A description of the contents of the seal are as follows:
- The Wheat Sheaf -- was adapted from the Sussex County seal and signifies the agricultural vitality of Delaware.
- The Ship -- is a symbol of New Castle County's ship building industry and Delaware's extensive coastal commerce.
- The Corn -- is taken from the Kent County seal and also symbolizes the agricultural basis of Delaware's economy.
- The Farmer -- with the hoe represents the central role of farming to the state.
- The Militiaman -- with his musket recognizes the crucial role of the citizen-soldier to the maintenance of American liberties.
- The Ox -- represents the importance of animal husbandry to the state economy.
- The Water -- (above the Ox) stands for the Delaware River, the main stay of the state's commerce and transportation.
- The Motto -- was derived from the Order of Cincinnati, and approved in 1847.
State Code
Section 301. Great Seal. 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 accoutred 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" and the words "Liberty and Independence" engraved thereon.
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State Seals
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In days when communications were transcribed by hand and
tediously undertaken, seals served to authenticate official government documents. In this
day of computers and instant communications, seals still serve the same purpose.
great seal
noun
The principal seal of a government or state, with which official documents are are stamped
as proof of having been approved or certified |
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