A few years after the nation declared its official independence, many things in the United States started to change, and a new historical chapter began.
On June 20, 1782, the nation’s state seal was initially created, and officially adopted by the Continental Congress of America. The Great Seal of the U.S. was, and still is used as the symbol of sovereignty as a nation.
Shortly after this, states began adopting their own official state seals, mottos, nicknames, and much more, which are used to symbolize and represent the uniqueness of each US state.
The famous and iconic state seal of Colorado is below. This has been the only state seal that Colorado has adopted since becoming an official state in 1876. The state seal was officially approved a year after Colorado’s initial inception in 1877.
Colorado’s Great State Seal’s appearances on documents, and other important state-related affairs can only be authorized by the Secretary of State. And the design of the famous state seal has been credited to Lewis Ledyard Weld, who is the Territorial Secretary appointed by President Lincoln during 1861.
Learn the State Seal of Colorado
A question many people ask when it comes to the Colorado state seal is; “what does the Colorado state seal represent?”. Well, at the top of the seal you can see the wording “the eye of god” in a triangle with golden rays radiating from both sides. This is a symbol of Masonic origin, which can also be found on the U.S. official state seal, and on the back of a $1 bill!
Just below the eye of God are fasces which are supposed to represent a republican government, which is fitting to Colorado. The statute residing on the seal shows the rods being bound together, which symbolizes strength that lacks in one single rod, and the axe is showing authority and leadership. The ribbon that binds the fasces from the left also bears the word “UNION”, and the ribbon to the right says “CONSTITUTION”.
On the top section of the heraldic shield, you can see three of the state’s famous snow-capped mountains with clouds above them, against a red background. On the bottom half of the shield, you can see a sledge hammer crossed on a golden background.
The state’s famous motto can be seen below the shield, “Nil Sine Numine”, which can be translated to “Nothing without the Deity”, and at the bottom you can see the year “1876”, which is the year Colorado became an independent state!
Most states will have their seals showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and the Centennial State is certainly no different.
