What Is the Great Seal?

The Great Seal of the United States is the official emblem of the American government, used to mark important documents and show that they are authentic. It works like a stamp of approval from the entire nation. The Great Seal has two sides, called the obverse (front) and the reverse (back), and both are full of symbols that represent American values. You can see both sides of the Great Seal on the back of a one-dollar bill. The seal is kept by the Secretary of State and is used about 2,000 to 3,000 times per year on official papers.

How It Was Created

Creating the Great Seal was no quick task. The Continental Congress first asked for a seal design on July 4, 1776, the same day the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Three different committees worked on designs over six years before the final version was approved on June 20, 1782. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were all on the first committee, but none of their ideas were used in the final design. Charles Thomson, the Secretary of Congress, combined the best ideas from all three committees to create the seal we know today. The process took so long because the Founders wanted every detail to carry a meaningful message about the new nation.

The Front of the Seal

The front of the Great Seal features a bald eagle with its wings spread wide, holding an olive branch with 13 olives and 13 leaves in its right talon and 13 arrows in its left talon. The olive branch represents peace, while the arrows represent the nation’s readiness to defend itself. A shield with 13 red and white stripes covers the eagle’s chest, and a blue band across the top of the shield represents Congress uniting the states. In the eagle’s beak is a ribbon with the Latin motto “E Pluribus Unum,” which means “Out of Many, One.” Above the eagle’s head, 13 stars are arranged in a pattern that forms a six-pointed star, surrounded by a golden glory breaking through clouds.

The Back of the Seal

The reverse side of the Great Seal shows an unfinished pyramid with 13 steps, representing the original 13 colonies and the idea that the nation is still growing. At the base of the pyramid, the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI spell out 1776, the year the United States declared independence. Above the pyramid floats the Eye of Providence, an eye inside a triangle that represents the watchful care of a higher power over the nation. The Latin phrase “Annuit Coeptis” appears above the eye, meaning “He has favored our undertakings.” Below the pyramid, a scroll reads “Novus Ordo Seclorum,” which means “A New Order of the Ages,” announcing the beginning of a new era in history.

The Meaning of the Number 13

The number 13 appears again and again in the Great Seal because there were 13 original colonies that came together to form the United States. There are 13 stripes on the shield, 13 stars above the eagle, 13 arrows, 13 olive leaves, 13 olives, and 13 steps on the pyramid. Even the motto “E Pluribus Unum” has exactly 13 letters. The designers chose to repeat this number to honor the colonies that fought for independence. This constant use of 13 serves as a reminder of how the country began as a small group of colonies that united for a common cause.

The Physical Seal

The actual Great Seal is a metal die about the size of a dinner plate that presses its design into paper or wax. The current die is the seventh one made since 1782, as earlier versions wore out from heavy use. The seal is stored in a special mahogany cabinet in the Exhibit Hall of the Department of State in Washington, D.C. When an important document like a treaty or a presidential proclamation needs to be sealed, the Secretary of State authorizes its use. A trained officer carefully operates the press to stamp the seal onto the document, making it officially recognized by the United States government.

The Seal in Everyday Life

Even though you might not see the actual Great Seal very often, its design is all around you. The most familiar place is on the back of the one-dollar bill, which has shown both sides of the seal since 1935. The front of the seal also appears on the presidential seal, the vice presidential seal, and many federal agency logos. Government buildings in Washington, D.C. and embassies around the world display the eagle from the Great Seal. When you see the seal’s eagle on a passport, it means the document is officially issued by the United States government.

Why the Great Seal Matters

The Great Seal is more than just a fancy stamp. It tells the story of what the United States stands for, using symbols that the Founders carefully chose to represent the nation’s ideals. The seal connects Americans to the brave decision made in 1776 to create a new, independent country. Its symbols of peace, strength, and unity are just as meaningful today as they were more than 240 years ago. By learning about the Great Seal, you can understand the values and hopes that shaped the United States from the very beginning.