Most people know the Great Seal of the United States, which features an eagle and the national motto, "E pluribus unum," or "out of many, one." Many people do not realize that every state in the nation has its own official seal as well.
Each is unique, featuring symbols, imagery, and statements that reflect the values of that state and its history. Some are almost as old as the country, while others have adopted new ones as recently as this year.
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This article explores the history of the North Carolina state seal. Keep reading to learn more about the distinct design and symbolism present in this North Carolina emblem.
Pre-Revolutionary War North Carolina seals
Prior to statehood, there area that is now North Carolina had many different seals. For instance, the Government of Albermarle, organized in 1665, adopted a seal. Aberlmarle County eventually used the same one, as did the province of North Carolina.
When North Carolina became a Royal Colony in 1729, the old Albermarle seal got abandoned and replaced the next year with a new seal approved by Great Britain. They adopted another new seal in 1767, for use on patents, land grants and public instruments issues in the king's name.
Pre-statehood North Carolina seals
In 1776, after the U.S. achieved independence from Britain (but before North Carolina became a state in 1789), the Provincial Congress commissioned the creation of a new seal. However, it is unclear if these directives were followed.
They issued a decree again in 1778, and William Tisdale, a silversmith, began work to engrave a seal for North Carolina. This one, with distinct state seal design elements, became the first official state seal.
During the next century, at least six new seals were developed and adopted by the state General Assembly. These were used for government purposes and had distinct sizes and designs.
In 1893, the seal most like the official one used today was created. It also was the first to have the words "esse quam videri" a Latin phrase meaning "to be, rather than to seem"--which became the state motto.
Before that time, the state did not have an official motto. At the time, it was the only one of the original 13 without one.
Current North Carolina state seal
In 1971, the North Carolina General Assembly decided to standardize the design of the seal. They also prescribed the exact measurements of the seal: two and one-quarter inches in diameter.
Until that time, the 1893 seal had undergone many different versions, renditions, and adaptations depicted in everything from art to official state documents, buildings, and other items.
For instance, the ship that appears on the current seal was absent from some previous versions used in the early 1900s. There were many different mottos and dates displayed on the seal at different times as well. Many of these reflected the political and ideological views of officeholders.
Symbolism of the NC seal
The legislation passed by the General Assembly in 1971 described in great detail what would be on the seal. On the left side are mountains that taper down to the sea. This reflects the natural landscape of the state: mountains in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east.
A three-masted ship (mentioned in the section above) floats in the water, on the upper right-hand corner of the seal. It represents trade and commerce.
The seal features two figures, Liberty and Plenty, who are facing one another. Liberty is standing on the left and holding a pole in her left hand. It has a cap on it that resembles the Phrygian or "liberty" cap worn in Eastern Europe or the Pileus, a cap worn by freed slaves in the Roman Empire. It represents freedom from bondage.
In Liberty's right hand, she holds a scroll with the word "Constitution" written on it. It resembles a shield, representing protection for Liberty.
The other figure, Plenty is seated with her right hand extended toward Liberty, holding three heads of grain. In her left hand, she holds the small end of a "horn of plenty," the other end of which rests on the ground with its contents spilling out, representing abundance.
In addition to wheat, corn is represented on the seal--the state has produced both in great quantities since its beginning. Other products made in the state, including pitch tar and turpentine, have been on past seals but are not present on the current one.
Dates on the state seal
The date May 20, 1775, appears across the top of the North Carolina state seal. This is the date the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which was signed by a committee of citizens in Charlotte, North Carolina, declaring independence from Great Britain. The date also appears on the state flag of North Carolina.
In 1983, the General Assembly ratified a final change to the official seal they confirmed just four years prior. A proposal by state Senator Julian Allsbrook included the date the state Provincial Congress adopted the Halifax Resolves.
These authorized delegates to attend the Second Continental Congress, where they voted for independence from Britain. The date was April 12, 1776, which also appears on the state flag. It also now appears on the bottom of the state seal.
Mottos on the state seal
On the bottom of the seal is the state motto, "esse quam videri." The origin of the motto is uncertain, although it appears in an essay "On Friendship" by the Roman scholar and philosopher, Cicero. The General Assembly insisted that no other words or embellishments be written on the seal.