Seal of Texas
Encyclopedia
The Seal of the State of Texas was adopted through the 1845 Texas Constitution
, and was based on the seal of the Republic of Texas
, which dates from January 25, 1839.
states, "There shall be a seal of the State, which shall be kept by the Governor and used by him officially. The seal shall have a star of five points, encircled by olive
and live oak
branches, and the words 'the State of Texas.'" The official artwork, drawn by Juan Vega of Round Rock, Texas
, was adopted in 1992 by Secretary of State
John Hannah, Jr. The seal has specified wording on both the obverse and reverse
sides.
In rendering, the Confederate States of America flag is an altered version of the first national flag. The seven stars are arranged in manner unique to Texas.
, County Clerk, and other county offices. Until 1975, the Commissioners' Court seal consisted of a star with five points and the words, "Commissioners Court, ---- County, Texas." A Commissioners' Court may now select its own seal design, with the approval of the Texas Secretary of State
.
It is common for counties to have a seal or symbol to identify the county unofficially. Many counties have adopted symbols with the lone star and live oak/olive branches in the center. Some counties have maintained "The State of Texas" at the top, while adding the county name below, while others have replaced "The State of Texas" with the county name, with some adding the year of county establishment at the bottom.
A notable exception is Harris County
, which instead uses a symbol with the Flag of Texas
in the center, which is based on the five-pointed star.
Texas Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that describes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. State of Texas.Texas has had seven constitutions: the constitution of Coahuila y Tejas, the 1836 Constitution of the Republic of Texas, the state constitutions of 1845,...
, and was based on the seal of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
, which dates from January 25, 1839.
Design
The 1845 Texas ConstitutionTexas Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that describes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. State of Texas.Texas has had seven constitutions: the constitution of Coahuila y Tejas, the 1836 Constitution of the Republic of Texas, the state constitutions of 1845,...
states, "There shall be a seal of the State, which shall be kept by the Governor and used by him officially. The seal shall have a star of five points, encircled by olive
Olive
The olive , Olea europaea), is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea.Its fruit, also called the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the...
and live oak
Live oak
Live oak , also known as the southern live oak, is a normally evergreen oak tree native to the southeastern United States...
branches, and the words 'the State of Texas.'" The official artwork, drawn by Juan Vega of Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the metropolitan area. The 2010 census places the population at 99,887....
, was adopted in 1992 by Secretary of State
Secretary of State of Texas
The Secretary of State of Texas is one of six state officials designated by the Texas Constitution to form the executive department of that U.S. state...
John Hannah, Jr. The seal has specified wording on both the obverse and reverse
Reverse
Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...
sides.
Seal Obverse
The obverse of the Seal of the State of Texas is defined by the Texas Constitution as follows:
The Seal of the State shall be a star of five points, encircled by olive and live oak branches, and the words, "The State of Texas."
Seal Reverse
The reverse of the Seal has a more detailed design and is also defined by law as follows:
[T]he design for the reverse side of the Great Seal of Texas shall consist of a shield, the lower half of which is divided into two parts; on the shield's lower left is a depiction of the cannon of the Battle of GonzalesBattle of GonzalesThe Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835, between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army troops....
; on the shield's lower right is a depiction of Vince's BridgeVince's BridgeVince's Bridge was a wooden bridge constructed by Allen Vince over Sims Bayou near Harrisburg, Texas. Its destruction by Texas armed forces played a critical role during the April 1836 Battle of San Jacinto in the decisive defeat of the Mexican army, which effectively ended the Texas Revolution...
; on the upper half of the shield is a depiction of the Alamo; the shield is circled by live oak and olive branches, and the unfurled flagsSix flags over TexasSix Flags Over Texas is the slogan used to describe the six nations that have had sovereignty over some or all of the current territory of the U.S. state of Texas. This slogan has been incorporated into shopping malls, theme parks , and other enterprises...
of the Kingdom of France, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Mexican States, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America; above the shield is emblazoned the motto, "REMEMBER THE ALAMOBattle of the AlamoThe Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
", and beneath the shield are the words, "TEXAS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE"; over the entire shield, centered between the flags, is a white five-pointed star.
In rendering, the Confederate States of America flag is an altered version of the first national flag. The seven stars are arranged in manner unique to Texas.
History
The Seal of Texas has changed 3 times since independence from Mexico in 1836. The original Great Seal of the Republic was created on December 10, 1836 by the Congress, with a bill providing that "for the future the national seal of this republic shall consist of a single star, with the letters 'Republic of Texas,' circular on said seal, which seal shall also be circular". After initial hopes for the quick annexation of Texas into the United States grew dim, the Third Congress modified the seal and created a national arms in 1839. The bill stated that "The national arms of the Republic of Texas be, and the same is hereby declared to be a white star of five points, on an azure ground, encircled by an olive and live oak branches", as well as that "The national great seal of this Republic shall, from and after the passage of this act, bear the arms of this nation..., and the letters 'Republic of Texas'". When Texas joined the Union in 1845 the new state constitution retained the seal, changing only the word "Republic" to "State", and removed the background from the Arms. It was not until 1992 that the Seal and Arms were standardized.Government Seals of Texas
There are also numerous seals of the different departments of Texas Government, including seals for the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. They are all based upon the State Seal of Texas.County Symbols
General state law does not require counties to adopt a seal. However laws do provide seals for the County Commissioners' CourtCommissioners' Court
Commissioners' Court is the governing body of county government in several US states, including Texas and Missouri. It is similar in function to a board of county commissioners....
, County Clerk, and other county offices. Until 1975, the Commissioners' Court seal consisted of a star with five points and the words, "Commissioners Court, ---- County, Texas." A Commissioners' Court may now select its own seal design, with the approval of the Texas Secretary of State
Secretary of State of Texas
The Secretary of State of Texas is one of six state officials designated by the Texas Constitution to form the executive department of that U.S. state...
.
It is common for counties to have a seal or symbol to identify the county unofficially. Many counties have adopted symbols with the lone star and live oak/olive branches in the center. Some counties have maintained "The State of Texas" at the top, while adding the county name below, while others have replaced "The State of Texas" with the county name, with some adding the year of county establishment at the bottom.
A notable exception is Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
, which instead uses a symbol with the Flag of Texas
Flag of Texas
The Flag of the State of Texas is defined by law as follows:The Texas flag is known as the "Lone Star Flag" . This flag was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838, by Senator William H. Wharton...
in the center, which is based on the five-pointed star.
See also
- Coat of Arms of the U.S. StatesCoat of Arms of the U.S. StatesThe coats of arms of the U.S. states are coats of arms, adopted by those states that have chosen, that are an official symbol of the state, alongside their seal. Eighteen states have officially adopted coats of arms...
- Seals of the U.S. statesSeals of the U.S. statesThe following gallery displays the official seals of the 50 states, federal district, and territories of the United States of America:-See also:* Coat of Arms of the U.S. States* Seals of Governors of the U.S. States* Flags of the U.S. states...
- State of Texas
- Symbols of the State of Texas
- Flag of TexasFlag of TexasThe Flag of the State of Texas is defined by law as follows:The Texas flag is known as the "Lone Star Flag" . This flag was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838, by Senator William H. Wharton...
External links
- State Seal of Texas Texas Secretary of State website
- Reverse of the Seal Texas Secretary of State website