The coat of arms of Pennsylvania is an official emblem of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, alongside the seal and state flag, and was adopted in 1778.[1]
Design and symbolism
The Pennsylvania coat of arms features a shield crested by a North American bald eagle, flanked by horses, and adorned with symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths—a ship carrying state commerce to all parts of the world; a clay-red plough, a symbol of Pennsylvania's rich natural resources; and three golden sheaves of wheat, representing fertile fields and Pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action. An olive branch and cornstalk cross limbs beneath—symbols of peace and prosperity. The state motto, "Virtue, Liberty and Independence", appears festooned below. Atop the coat of arms is a bald eagle, representing Pennsylvania's loyalty to the United States.[2][3]
History
Pennsylvania’s coat of arms first appeared on paper money issued in 1777. The original design was created by Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia, but the Legislature changed it several times before settling on the current design, which is similar to Lownes’.[4]
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The coat of arms that replaced the arms of George III in the Pennsylvania State House ca. 1784. -
The arms the Commonwealth carved by E. Omensetter for the pediment Dauphin County court house in 1861.
Use
Besides being used by itself, the coat of arms is used on the state flag, many governmental seals of the state, and the flag of the governor.
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Flag of the governor of Pennsylvania -
Seal of the governor of Pennsylvania -
Seal of the secretary of the commonwealth -
Seal of the auditor general of Pennsylvania -
Seal of the inspector general of Pennsylvania -
Seal of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania -
Seal of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania -
Seal of the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline -
Seal of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
See also
References
- ^ "Pennsylvania Government". State Government. State Symbols USA. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
- ^ "World Flags 101 - Pennsylvania Flags". Archived from the original on 2020-02-21. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- ^ "Symbols of Pennsylvania". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Archived from the original on 2012-04-28. Retrieved 2014-12-16.
- ^ "Pennsylvania State Symbols". The Pennsylvania Capitol.
