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New Jersey State Seal

Seal and Nickname

The New Jersey State Seal
The Great Seal of the State of New Jersey serves as a symbol of authenticity which verifies that government documents and papers of state are official and legal in the "Garden State". The New Jersey 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 New Jersey state seal:

"Liberty and prosperity"

The New Jersey state seal identifies government buildings and officials and is a centerpiece for the New Jersey state flag. The symbolism, history and emblems of the New Jersey seal are described in this article with fast facts.

New Jersey State Seal

 
 

Facts on the New Jersey State Seal
The men who designed the Great State seals were educated in the classics and were knowledgeable of art history and symbolism of heraldry. Fast, fun facts about the history and design of the New Jersey State Seal:

New Jersey State Seal Facts

Fact 1: The New Jersey designer was the Philadelphia heraldic artist Pierre Eugene du Simitiere who also designed the seals of Delaware and the Great Seal of the United States

Fact 2: Only minor modifications have been made to the original design
Fact 3:The year of statehood (1776) first appeared in 1928

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Description, Symbols, Icons and Emblems of the New Jersey State Seal
The description and meaning of the symbols, icons and emblems of New Jersey are as follows:

The top of the design is a crest of the head of a horse. The horse head symbolizes speed and strength and is the New Jersey state animal.

The gold, barred front facing helmet (a symbol of royalty in heraldry) which represents sovereignty for a state that governs itself.

The New Jersey state statute, describing the general rules of construction of the seal, directs a mantling of argent and azure. A mantling is a heraldic term for the drapery or scrollwork generally tied to a helmet above or around a shield. Argent means silver and azure means blue.

The color Blue (Azure) symbolizes truth and loyalty. Silver or White (Argent) is a symbol of peace and sincerity
The female figure pictured on the left is Lady Liberty, carrying the liberty cap on her staff. The pileus, or Phrygian cap was said to be worn in ancient Rome by slaves who had won their freedom.

Ceres, the Roman goddess agriculture and abundance is on the right. She holds a cornucopia, the horn of plenty,  filled with harvested produce symbolizing abundance. Her name originates from the Latin word 'Cerealis' meaning "of grain" from which we derive the modern word 'cereal'.

The shield on the seal with three plows on it show the importance of agriculture to the state's economic power.
In heraldry a plow symbolizes labouring in the earth and depending upon providence
The New Jersey seal is kept and used as required by the Constitution and laws of the state.

The New Jersey Seal of 1876
This is an early flyer depicting the 1876 design of the New Jersey seal which has many similarities to the current version. The pictures surrounding it are interesting as they convey elements important to the state. The invention of the steam engine was critical to the modern railroad and trains. Colonel John Stevens is considered to be the father of American railroads and in 1826 Stevens demonstrated the feasibility of steam locomotion on a circular experimental track constructed on his estate in Hoboken, New Jersey, three years before George Stephenson developed a practical steam locomotive in England.

new-jersey-seal-1876
 

New Jersey State Seal for Kids

Meaning & recent pictures of New Jersey Great Seal
"Liberty and prosperity" motto
Find the meaning of the Great State Seal
Seal Meaning, History, Symbols and Origin for kids
Meaning, symbols, design, description and history
Interesting facts & picture of the Great State Seal
Official Nickname "Garden State"
Meaning of the New Jersey Seal for schools, kids and children


New Jersey State Seal for Kids
 

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