The famous Stars and Stripes of the United States of America have been replicated all over the world in millions of souvenirs, postcards, T-shirts. In contrast, the US coat of arms for many people on the planet is an absolutely unknown symbol. An interesting fact is that in official documents there is no such thing as a coat of arms.
The main functions are assigned to the Great Seal of the United States, which is the state emblem. It is used in US government documents as evidence of authenticity. There are also sacred duties of the keeper of the Great Seal, they are entrusted to the Secretary of State. Anyone can see this relic as it is on display in the Washington State Department for all to see.
Features of the State Seal
Unlike the usual, well-known seals and stamps, the US State Seal has two different sides. The obverse contains the image of a bald eagle, this bird of prey was once declared a national symbol, so it belongs on the seal. The eagle is holding arrows and an olive branch in its paws.
A formidable weapon (13 arrows) is a symbol of the power and defense of the country, the olive, which has 13 leaves and 13 olives, is a symbol of peace. Since the bird's head is turned towards the side of the branch, this means that the United States is leaning more towards the world.
Once again, the number "13" can be found in the Latin inscription on the scroll - "E pluribus unum", the number of letters in the country's motto, the same number of stars shine over the head of the bird. And on her chest there is a heraldic shield, the area of which is also cut into 13 silver and scarlet parts.
To be continued…
The reverse side of the seal continues the tradition of using the number thirteen. First, the unfinished pyramid, which consists of 13 levels, attracts attention. And even the number of tufts of grass growing at the base of the pyramid is that number.
The top of the pyramid is crowned with an eye symbol in a triangle. This is the so-called "Eye of Providence", an old Masonic sign. Two more inscriptions in Latin are present on the back of the US State Seal.
The number written in Roman numerals on the lower level of the pyramid - 1776 - denotes the year when independence from England was proclaimed. 13 states became independent states.
For the first time, the seal was published in 1781, when a copper matrix was cast, and already in September of the same year, Secretary Charles Thompson first sealed a document with this seal, which was signed by George Washington.
