The Great Seal of Missouri is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the Government of Missouri. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself, which is kept by the secretary of state, and more generally for the design impressed upon it. The Great Seal was designed by Robert Wells of Jefferson City.[citation needed]
The center of the seal contains the Great Seal of the United States on the right side, and, on the left, symbols representing the state. On both sides of the center circle, a bear, represents strength and bravery; a crescent moon, a symbol of the Virgin Mary and a nod to the French who first settled Missouri, represents the newness of statehood and the potential for growth. Surrounding these symbols is the motto "United we stand, divided we fall". The belt buckle signifies the State's ability to secede from the Union if deemed necessary, i.e., the belt can be unbuckled. Two bears, representing Missouri's native bears, support this center shield. A scroll carries the state motto, Salus populi suprema lex esto, a Latin phrase meaning "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law." The year 1820 is inscribed in Roman numerals below the scroll, although Missouri was not officially granted statehood until 1821. A star representing each of the other states of the Union (Missouri became the 24th) graces the top portion of the seal. The outer circle of the seal bears the words "The Great Seal of the State of Missouri". Above the shield is a helmet representing Missouri's state sovereignty. The large star above the helmet surrounded by 23 smaller stars represents Missouri's status as the 24th state. The cloud around the stars indicates the problems Missouri had in becoming a state.[citation needed]
Salus populi suprema lex esto (Latin "Let the good of the people be the supreme law" or "The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law") is found in Cicero's De Legibus (book III, part III, sub. VIII), as Ollis salus populi suprema lex esto.[1]
Robert Wells, of Jefferson City, designed the seal.[2] The seal was adopted on January 11, 1822.[3] The state's Department of Conservation admits that “The bears on the Great Seal of the State of Missouri are grizzly bears, which never resided in the state.”[4]
^"Ch. 362: An Act prescribing the emblems and devices of the great seal". Laws of a Public and General Nature: Of the District of Louisiana, of the Territory of Louisiana, of the Territory of Missouri, and of the State of Missouri, Up to the Year 1824. Vol. I. St. Louis: W. Lusk. 1842. pp. 840–841.
^Ron Soodalter, "The History of Missouri's Flag", Missouri Life, July 11, 2019; accessed 2021.05.28.
External linksedit
Office of the Secretary of State of Missouri
January 01, 1970
great, seal, missouri, used, authenticate, certain, documents, issued, government, missouri, phrase, used, both, physical, seal, itself, which, kept, secretary, state, more, generally, design, impressed, upon, great, seal, designed, robert, wells, jefferson, c. The Great Seal of Missouri is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the Government of Missouri The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself which is kept by the secretary of state and more generally for the design impressed upon it The Great Seal was designed by Robert Wells of Jefferson City citation needed The Great Seal of MissouriArmigerState of MissouriAdoptedJanuary 22 1822 202 years ago 1822 01 22 modifications made in 1907 1907 MottoLatin Salus populi suprema lex esto lit The welfare of the people is the supreme law Usein the General Assembly on official buildings on the State flag in the header of the official documents including letters and commissions Contents 1 Design 2 History 3 Government Seals of Missouri 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksDesign edit nbsp The Seal as it appeared in 1879 The center of the seal contains the Great Seal of the United States on the right side and on the left symbols representing the state On both sides of the center circle a bear represents strength and bravery a crescent moon a symbol of the Virgin Mary and a nod to the French who first settled Missouri represents the newness of statehood and the potential for growth Surrounding these symbols is the motto United we stand divided we fall The belt buckle signifies the State s ability to secede from the Union if deemed necessary i e the belt can be unbuckled Two bears representing Missouri s native bears support this center shield A scroll carries the state motto Salus populi suprema lex esto a Latin phrase meaning Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law The year 1820 is inscribed in Roman numerals below the scroll although Missouri was not officially granted statehood until 1821 A star representing each of the other states of the Union Missouri became the 24th graces the top portion of the seal The outer circle of the seal bears the words The Great Seal of the State of Missouri Above the shield is a helmet representing Missouri s state sovereignty The large star above the helmet surrounded by 23 smaller stars represents Missouri s status as the 24th state The cloud around the stars indicates the problems Missouri had in becoming a state citation needed Salus populi suprema lex esto Latin Let the good of the people be the supreme law or The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law is found in Cicero s De Legibus book III part III sub VIII as Ollis salus populi suprema lex esto 1 The phrase is the state motto of Missouri accepted in its state seal It is also the motto and appears on the coat of arms of the City of Salford the London Borough of Lewisham the Duquesne University School of Law and is used as the motto of the Vlaams Belang political group in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives John Locke uses it as the epigraph in his Second Treatise on Government and refers to it as a fundamental rule for government History editRobert Wells of Jefferson City designed the seal 2 The seal was adopted on January 11 1822 3 The state s Department of Conservation admits that The bears on the Great Seal of the State of Missouri are grizzly bears which never resided in the state 4 Government Seals of Missouri edit nbsp Seal of the Missouri House of Representatives nbsp Seal of the Missouri Senate nbsp Seal of the State Auditor of Missouri nbsp Seal of the Missouri Public Service CommissionSee also edit nbsp Heraldry portal nbsp United States portal Flag of Missouri Symbols of the State of MissouriReferences edit Cicero Marcus Tullius de Legibus Vol III Free full text from the Latin Library Retrieved on 2007 06 08 Robert William Wells www waymarking com Ch 362 An Act prescribing the emblems and devices of the great seal Laws of a Public and General Nature Of the District of Louisiana of the Territory of Louisiana of the Territory of Missouri and of the State of Missouri Up to the Year 1824 Vol I St Louis W Lusk 1842 pp 840 841 Ron Soodalter The History of Missouri s Flag Missouri Life July 11 2019 accessed 2021 05 28 External links editOffice of the Secretary of State of Missouri Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Great Seal of Missouri amp oldid 1218755648, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
