The seal which is based on the Great Seal of the United States is the symbol of our nation. The final design of the seal was created by Charles Thomson (Secretary of the Congress). The official explanation of the seal was that it is the union of the states and federal government, as symbolized by the shield of thirteen stripes on the eagle’s breast.
If you will notice, the common theme used in the seal all comprises of 13, which is in honor on the fact that originally there are 13 states in the Union. There are 13 stars that surround the American bald eagle’s head. 13 arrows in the eagle’s left talon, 13 stripes in the shield, 13 olives on the branch. Trivia: it is also by coincidence that there are 13 characters in the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” which is translated as Out of many, one. The motto suggests that out of many states, one nation is formed.
Symbols Used in the Seal of President:
·T The eagle is holding in his right talon an olive branch (peace) and in his left a bundle of thirteen arrows (war/military might).
·I In heraldry, the symbol in the right side means that it has more importance on the object on the right. In conclusion this means that PEACE has more power than WAR. Moreover the eagle’s head is turn towards the olive branch which reaffirms that peace is indeed more powerful than war.
· T The 50 stars in the outer circle represent the number of states.
Trivia: The original seal lacked the ring of stars, the Presidential flag, Vice president, Deputy secretary et.al have four large white stars in each corner and are placed in the same manner. On December 1944, there was a big controversy when they created the 5-star rank of General of the Army and Fleet general, this concerns the fact that military officer’s flags bear more stars than that of the President. The issue was pacified when President Truman added more stars.