The Pennsylvania State Seal
What do the images on the Pennsylvania State Seal mean?
Goal:
Goal:
![Seal of American state of Pennsylvania; isolated on white background.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cms.accelerate-ed.com/image/2ace2173-cda7-44e4-99da-4efd6a5bc16b.jpg)
The Pennsylvania State Seal is unique because it has two faces. This face is known as the obverse and is used as the state seal. Click on each image to learn what it means.
Sailing ship | Carrying state commerce around the world |
A clay-red plow | Pennsylvania's rich natural resources |
Three sheaves of wheat | Fertile fields and Pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action |
Olive branch | Peace and prosperity |
![Seal of American state of Pennsylvania (Reverse)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cms.accelerate-ed.com/image/005f9139-a9f0-4c21-8177-373ebb94c554.gif)
This is the second face, which is known as the reverse. It is the counter-seal and is used less often for state documents. It represents liberty versus tyranny. Click on each image to learn what it means.
A woman | Liberty |
A wand with a liberty cap | Liberty (French symbol) |
Lion and drawn sword | Liberty is trampling on tyranny |