Florida Flag 
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| Florida State Seal |  |
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The Florida State Seal
The Great Seal of the State of Florida serves as a symbol of authenticity which verifies that government documents and papers of state are official and legal in the "Sunshine State". The Florida state seal is also an emblem that is representative of the state's origins, history, character and ideals. The following motto, reflecting the spirit of the state, is also incorporated in the Florida state seal: "In God we trust" The Florida state seal identifies government buildings and officials and is a centerpiece for the Florida state flag. The symbolism, history and emblems of the seal are described in this article with fast facts and information. | 
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History of 1861 version of the Florida State Seal | 
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The 1861 first version of the State Seal of Florida featured a map of the state with boats off the Gulf Coast.
A picture of the Goddess of Liberty sits in the foreground with barrels and wooden crates at her feet. She sits near a palm tree and a broadleaf tree. Liberty holds a pole upon top of which is a liberty cap. The pileus, or Phrygian cap was said to be worn in ancient Rome by slaves who had won their freedom. A shield bearing the emblem of the US rests next to her. This version of the Florida seal was replaced in 1868. |
| | | History of 1868 version of the Florida State Seal |
Florida was a part of the Confederate States of America from the beginning of the Civil War (1861-1865). The state of Florida returned to Union control on June 25, 1868.
The 1861 Forida seal design was then revised in the State Constitution of 1868. The Legislature sent to Governor Harrison Reed a Joint Resolution on August 6, 1868 specifying "That a Seal of the size of the American silver dollar, having in the center thereof a view of the sun's rays over a high land in the distance, a cocoa tree, a steamboat on water, and an Indian female scattering flowers in the foreground, encircled by the words, 'Great Seal of the State of Florida: In God We Trust', be and the same is hereby adopted as the Great Seal of the State of Florida."
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| The 1868 Florida seal displayed several inaccuracies. The native american woman is wearing the clothes of a Great Plains Native American instead of a Seminole. Another effort, shown clearly in the banner below, shows a feather headdress on the lady, but only Native Indian males wore headdresses. Mountains are depicted in the background - but there are no mountains in Florida. The cocoa tree looks more like a coconut palm tree. |
The Florida Banner of 1876
This is the 1876 design of the seal is shown in the shield on the Florida banner depicting the Evergreen State and the 'Capitol Tallahassee' and the Native American woman is clearly depicted wearing a male headdress. Description, Symbols, Icons and Emblems of the modern Florida State Seal
Due to the early inaccuracies there have been several versions of the Florida State seal. In 1970, more than 100 years after the first specifications were made, the Florida Legislature changed the "cocoa tree" to the "Sabal palmetto palm" which had been designated as the State Tree in 1953. The description and meaning of the symbols, icons and emblems of the current Florida State seal are as follows: 
| The "Sabal palmetto palm" features strongly in the Florida seal image |
| Behind the tree, the sun is breaking the horizon, with rays of sunlight extending into the sky |
| The picture depicts a Native American woman wearing the clothes of the Seminole tribe |
| The Seminole woman is spreading hibiscus flowers. (N.B. The Orange blossom (Citrus sinensis) was designated the State flower in 1909) |
| The steamboat was extremely important to Florida. Sailing boats were deep keeled, wind powered vessels that were unable to navigate the winding, shallow rivers of the interior of the state. The introduction of Steamboats in the early 1800's made the exploration and development of the interior possible. Steamboats were used for both commercial and recreational purposes |
| The Florida state seal is kept and used as required by the Constitution and laws of the state. |
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Florida State Seal for Kids | Meaning & recent pictures of the Florida Great Seal | | "In God we trust" seal | | Find the meaning of the Great Seal | | Meaning, History, Symbols and Origin for kids | | Meaning, design, description and history | | Interesting facts & picture of the Great State Seal | | Meaning of the Official Nickname | | Meaning of the Seal for schools, kids and children |
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Florida State Seal for Kids
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