Oregon State Seal

The Oregon State Seal
The Great Seal of the State of Oregon serves as a symbol of authenticity which verifies that government documents and papers of state are official and legal in the "Beaver State". The Oregon state seal is also an emblem that is representative of the state's origins, history, character and ideals. The spirit of the state is reflected in the Oregon state motto expressed in Latin as "Alis volat propriis" which means:

"She flies with her own wings"

The Oregon state seal identifies government buildings and officials and is a center piece for the Oregon state flag.

Oregon State Seal

Facts on the Oregon 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 Oregon State Seal:

Oregon State Seal Facts
	Fact 1: The "Salmon Seal" was used during the Provisional Government that ran from 1843 to 1849.
	Fact 2: The next design was that of the Oregon Territory that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859 when statehood was achieved
	Fact 3: The final statehood design was created by Benjamin F. Burch, LaFayette Grover and James K. Kelly

George Washington

The First Seals
The Territory and Provisional Government seals are shown below:


The 'Salmon' Design	Provisional Government Design

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

	The inner circle of the Oregon State Seal contains an American eagle on top of the shield. The wings of the eagle are "displayed" and in heraldry this symbolizes protection
	Thirty-three stars surround the shield representing the number of states upon Oregon's entry into the union in 1859.
	The images in shield are the mountains and forests of Oregon, an elk , a covered wagon pulled by oxen, the Pacific Ocean with the setting sun, a British man-of-war ship and an American merchant ship
	The mountains and forests represent the landscape and natural bounty of Oregon
	The Pacific Ocean with sun is a symbol of Oregon's hope for the future
	The elk with branching antlers was widely distributed in Oregon
	The departing British man-of-war symbolizes the departure of British influence in the region and an arriving American merchant ship symbolizes the rise of American power.
	The Conestoga covered wagon and ox team represents the early pioneers and settlers who travelled to a new life in Oregon. In 1845 the number of settlers who used the Oregon Trail exceeded 3,000 people.
	The early industries of mining and agriculture, that were important to the economy of the state, are represented by the images of a sheaf, a plow, and a pickaxe.
	In heraldry a wheatsheaf is called a garb and it symbolizes that harvest of one's hopes has been secured
	The Oregon seal is kept and used as required by the Constitution and laws of the state.

The Meaning of the Motto on the Oregon State Seal
The Oregon seal was originally adopted in 1843 and was then replaced with the seal "The Union" during the American Civil War. The original seal was re-established in 1987 as the legislature felt it better reflected the independent spirit of Oregon meaning that objectives and goals could be achieved without expecting help from others.

The State Banner of 1876
This is the 1876 design of the state banner showing the state capitol of Salem.

Oregon State Seal for Kids

	Meaning & recent pictures of the Great Seal
	"She flies with her own wings" seal
	Find the meaning of the Great State Seal
	Meaning, History, Symbols and Origin for kids
	Meaning, symbols, design, description and history
	Interesting facts & picture of the Great State Seal
	Official Nickname "Beaver"
	Meaning of the Seal for schools, kids and children

Oregon State Seal for Kids

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