Arizona State Seal

Description, Symbols, Icons and Emblems of the Arizona State Seal
The early economy of Arizona economy relied on the "five C's": Copper, cotton, cattle, citrus, and climate (tourism) and most of these are reflected in the imagery of the Arizona state seal. The description and meaning of the symbols, icons and emblems are as follows:

	The images symbolize many of the key industries, climate & natural riches found in Arizona
	The enlarged picture below view clarifies the symbols depicted on the seal
	The image of the miner with his shovel and pick takes pride of place
	Behind the miner is a picture of a quartz mill a reminder of the mining activities which included rich yields of copper, lead, zinc, silver and gold ore
	A reservoir and dam represents the efforts for water reclamation to enrich the farming of the lands
	The green fields were where the cotton and citrus trees were grown
	The image of the cow represents the cattle farming industry
	The hot climate is represented by the rays of the sun
	The Arizona seal is kept and used as required by the Constitution and laws of the state.

First Design - 1864	Second Design - 1879

The first design of 1864 featured featured a bearded miner standing in front of a wheelbarrow, the second featured a deer centerpiece. The seal was originally designed by the journalist Richard McCormick who was appointed secretary of the Arizona Territory by President Abraham Lincoln. This first design by Richard McCormick was strongly criticised as it was said to resemble the image on the label on cans of Pioneer baking powder!

Pioneer baking powder label

The current design contains elements of both the first and second images.

The Meaning of the Motto on the Arizona State Seal
The meaning of the motto on the Great Seal of Arizona reflects the deep Christian religious convictions of the early settlers of the land.