| Created By: |
uncle mikey Jun 20, 2008
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| Description: |
The main figure on the obverse (or front) of the seal is the coat of arms of the United States, a bald eagle with its wings outstretched (or "displayed", in heraldic terms). From the eagle's perspective, it holds a bundle of 13 arrows in its left talon, (referring to the 13 original states), and an olive branch, in its right talon, both of which symbolize that the United States of America has "a strong desire for peace, but will always be ready for war". Although not specified by law, the olive branch is usually depicted with 13 leaves and 13 olives, again representing the 13 original states. The eagle has its head turned towards the olive branch, said to symbolize a preference for peace. The eagle clutches the motto E Pluribus Unum ("Out of Many, One") in its beak; over its head there appears a "glory" with 13 stars on a blue field. In the current version of the great seal, the 13 stars above the eagle are arranged in rows of 1-4-3-4-1, forming a six-pointed star. |
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