Shortly after 1776, states began to adopt their own official state seals, mottos, nicknames, and much more, which are all used to symbolize and represent the uniqueness of each U.S. state.
What does the Wisconsin state seal mean? The great seal of the state of Wisconsin was originally created in 1851 and features the official state coat of arms, which also appears on the state flag. The banner that is situated above the shield displays the official state motto “FORWARD”. Below this you can see the official state animal, which is a badger.
Supporting the shield by holding it upright are a sailor and a miner, which represent the two most important industries within the state during the time of the seals inception. The U.S. official motto is featured on the shield, “E Pluribus Unum”, which means “one from many”. The pick and the shovel are symbols of the early mining industry, where they mined lead ore in the early days of the sellters in Wisconsin.
The plow that features on the seal represents the farmers and agriculture of Wisconsin, which is deep in the state’s history. Also, an arm and hammer display Wisconsin’s laborers and strong manual labor force over the years, and the anchor showcases Wisconsin’s sailing and shipping industry over the years.
On the western edge of the state, you will find the Mississippi River and the upper part of the state is bounded by Lake Superior. There are 13 stars that feature on the state seal which symbolize the original thirteen states! If you are interested in the rich history surrounding Wisconsin and want to learn more facts about the state, then check out our fact page dedicated to this.
Most states will have their seals showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the facts about the state and its history, and the Badger State has certainly captured this in their state seal.
