Main Pages

Front Page
Overview
Seal FAQs

Design Process
 1st Committee
 2nd Committee
 3rd Committee
 Final Design
 Description
 Explanation

Latin Mottoes
 E Pluribus Unum
 Annuit Coeptis
 Novus Ordo Seclorum

Symbols (front)
 Bald Eagle
 Shield
 Olive Branch
 Bundle of Arrows
 Stars
 Rays of Light
 Cloud

Symbols (back)
 Pyramid
 Eye
 MDCCLXXVI

Great Seals
 Official Dies
 First Engravings
 First Painting
 1792 Medal
 Indian Medals
 1882 Medal
 One-Dollar Bill

Myths
 Eagle Side
 Pyramid Side

Themes
 Unity
 Peace
 Liberty
 Thirteen

Related
 Wild Turkey
 President's Seal
 U.S. Constitution
 Sightings
 Resources

Videos
 Liberty Tree Song
 United Seal


Make America
Bright Again

Welcome to GreatSeal.com,
the website all about the extraordinary symbol
that represents the people of the United States of America.

Designed by some of the nation's most visionary Founders, the two sides of the Great Seal embody the essential guiding principles these farsighted patriots hoped we would always follow.

The actual Great Seal adopted by Congress on June 20, 1782 is a written document that precisely describes the imagery.

Since 1782, the U.S. Department of State has been sealing official documents using engraved dies based on this official description. The first die is shown here. (Note: the design is in reverse.) The government also has official illustrations of the Great Seal's two sides.

An illustration of a seal is known as a "realization" of its design description. For generations the Great Seal has inspired artists to create compelling realizations, graphic links to the people who championed our liberty.


18th-century and 21st-century realizations

The Great Seal's designers provided a brief explanation of its symbolism, however the more we know about its design process and meaning of its symbols and mottoes, the better we can understand why this emblem is as important today as ever before. It was and still is America's Vision Statement.

Explore GreatSeal.com

Get a brief Overview

See Preliminary Designs for the Great Seal:
Ideas suggested by three committees (1776-1782)

Examine the symbolic elements on the Seal:
Imagery from nature and history
Eagle side | Pyramid side

Learn the origin and meaning of the three Mottoes:
Little phrases with big repercussions

Historical content is based on the official history of the Great Seal.
Online since 1998 • Webwright: John D. MacArthur