Seal of Ohio
Encyclopedia
The Great Seal of the State of Ohio
features the U.S. state
's coat of arms
surrounded by the words, "THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OHIO" in news gothic
capitals (ORC
§5.10). Ohio's coat of arms features a full sheaf of wheat
, symbolizing agriculture and bounty; a cluster of seventeen arrow
s, symbolizing Ohio's admittance as the seventeenth of the United States of America
; a representation of Mount Logan, Ross County
, as viewed from the Adena Mansion
; a rising sun three-quarters exposed and radiating thirteen rays to represent the original thirteen states shining over the first state of the Northwest Territory
; and a representation of the Scioto River
and cultivated fields (ORC §5.04).
, was adopted on March 28, 1803, for official use by the governor. However, the original legislation was repealed in 1805, leading to a wide array of designs. For example, the 1847 seal depicted in the Statehouse
rotunda
skylight includes a canal boat
. On April 6, 1866, a Republican
General Assembly adopted an elaborate coat of arms that stipulated:
The Republicans' new motto, which ironically recalled states' rights
, proved unpopular. A Democratic
General Assembly replaced the entire coat of arms with a much simpler design on May 9, 1868.
The Ohio General Assembly
adopted the current coat of arms in 1967. The appearance of the 13 rays was modified in 1996. There were unsuccessful attempts in 1999 and 2003 to add the Wright Flyer
to the seal. A new move to include the "Wright Flyer" was launched in 2011 by Rep. Jim Butler of Oakwood.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
features the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
's coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
surrounded by the words, "THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OHIO" in news gothic
News Gothic
News Gothic is a realist sans-serif typeface designed by Morris Fuller Benton, and released by the American Type Founders in 1908. The typeface was originally drawn in two lighter weights, a medium text weight using the title News Gothic, and a closely related light weight marketed under the name...
capitals (ORC
Ohio Revised Code
The Ohio Revised Code contains all acts passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by the governor. The Ohio Revised Code replaced the Ohio General Code in 1953. However the current organization and form of the Ohio Revised Code Title 29 was completely re-written and issued into law by the...
§5.10). Ohio's coat of arms features a full sheaf of wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, symbolizing agriculture and bounty; a cluster of seventeen arrow
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
s, symbolizing Ohio's admittance as the seventeenth of the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; a representation of Mount Logan, Ross County
Ross County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,345 people, 27,136 households, and 19,185 families residing in the county. The population density was 106 people per square mile . There were 29,461 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile...
, as viewed from the Adena Mansion
Adena Mansion
Adena Mansion was built for Thomas Worthington by Benjamin Latrobe, and was completed in 1806-1807. It is located west of downtown Chillicothe, Ohio, United States. The property surrounding the mansion included the location of the first mound found to belong to the Adena culture and thus the...
; a rising sun three-quarters exposed and radiating thirteen rays to represent the original thirteen states shining over the first state of the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
; and a representation of the Scioto River
Scioto River
The Scioto River is a river in central and southern Ohio more than 231 miles in length. It rises in Auglaize County in west central Ohio, flows through Columbus, Ohio, where it collects its largest tributary, the Olentangy River, and meets the Ohio River at Portsmouth...
and cultivated fields (ORC §5.04).
History
The seal's design has changed at least ten times in the state's history. The original coat of arms, based on a sketch by Secretary of State William Creighton, Jr.William Creighton, Jr.
William Creighton was an attorney, banker and legislator. He always signed his name "William Creighton, Jr." because he had an elder cousin of the same name who also lived in Ross County, Ohio.- Early life :...
, was adopted on March 28, 1803, for official use by the governor. However, the original legislation was repealed in 1805, leading to a wide array of designs. For example, the 1847 seal depicted in the Statehouse
Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse, located in Columbus, Ohio, is the house of government for the state of Ohio. The Greek Revival building houses the Ohio General Assembly and the ceremonial offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, and Auditor....
rotunda
Rotunda (architecture)
A rotunda is any building with a circular ground plan, sometimes covered by a dome. It can also refer to a round room within a building . The Pantheon in Rome is a famous rotunda. A Band Rotunda is a circular bandstand, usually with a dome...
skylight includes a canal boat
Flatboat
Fil1800flatboat.jpgA flatboat is a rectangular flat-bottomed boat with Fil1800flatboat.jpgA flatboat is a rectangular flat-bottomed boat with Fil1800flatboat.jpgA flatboat is a rectangular flat-bottomed boat with (mostlyNOTE: "(parenthesized)" wordings in the quote below are notes added to...
. On April 6, 1866, a Republican
Ohio Republican Party
The Ohio Republican Party is the Ohio state affiliate of the United States Republican Party. It was founded in Columbus, Ohio on February 13, 1854. Kevin DeWine has been chairman of the Ohio GOP since 2009...
General Assembly adopted an elaborate coat of arms that stipulated:
The Republicans' new motto, which ironically recalled states' rights
States' rights
States' rights in U.S. politics refers to political powers reserved for the U.S. state governments rather than the federal government. It is often considered a loaded term because of its use in opposition to federally mandated racial desegregation...
, proved unpopular. A Democratic
Ohio Democratic Party
The Ohio Democratic Party is the Ohio affiliate to the United States Democratic Party. Former Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern is the Ohio Democratic Party chairman. Redfern was elected to office in December 2005...
General Assembly replaced the entire coat of arms with a much simpler design on May 9, 1868.
The Ohio General Assembly
Ohio General Assembly
The Ohio General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio. It consists of the 99-member Ohio House of Representatives and the 33-member Ohio Senate...
adopted the current coat of arms in 1967. The appearance of the 13 rays was modified in 1996. There were unsuccessful attempts in 1999 and 2003 to add the Wright Flyer
Wright Flyer
The Wright Flyer was the first powered aircraft, designed and built by the Wright brothers. They flew it four times on December 17, 1903 near the Kill Devil Hills, about four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, U.S.The U.S...
to the seal. A new move to include the "Wright Flyer" was launched in 2011 by Rep. Jim Butler of Oakwood.
See also
- Coat of Arms of the U.S. StatesCoat of Arms of the U.S. StatesThe coats of arms of the U.S. states are coats of arms, adopted by those states that have chosen, that are an official symbol of the state, alongside their seal. Eighteen states have officially adopted coats of arms...
- Seals of the U.S. statesSeals of the U.S. statesThe following gallery displays the official seals of the 50 states, federal district, and territories of the United States of America:-See also:* Coat of Arms of the U.S. States* Seals of Governors of the U.S. States* Flags of the U.S. states...
- List of Ohio state symbols
- Flag of OhioFlag of OhioThe flag of the state of Ohio was adopted in 1902 and designed by John Eisemann, for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.-Design:The large blue triangle represents Ohio's hills and valleys, and the stripes represent roads and waterways...
- With God, all things are possibleWith God, all things are possible"With God, all things are possible" is the state motto of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is derived from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 19, Verse 26....
- 2004 Ohio license plate design featuring the seal as a watermark
External links
- Section 5.04 of the Ohio Revised Code (Lawriter) – defines the state coat of arms
- Section 5.10 of the Ohio Revised Code (Lawriter) – defines the state seal