Ohio’s state seal has undergone several revisions since its creation in 1803. The current version, in use since 1996, features natural elements such as a mountain, river, and wheat field, as well as 13 rays representing the original colonies. The seal has undergone minor design changes over time, including the removal of a political motto. Some historians believe the landscape depicted is based on the view from the Adena Mansion, but this is disputed.
The newest version of the official state seal of Ohio contains most of the same elements as the first iteration, but the artwork on the coat of arms has been revised and changed several times during the state’s 200-year history. The current seal has been in use since 1996 and depicts some of the state’s most notable natural features with the words “The Great Seal of the State of Ohio” around the outer edge. An earlier version was very similar and appears as a stained glass window atop the rotunda of the Capitoline Hill. Another early version was created in 1866 and featured the motto of the Republican-controlled General Assembly, “Imperium in Imperio.” Two years later, Democrats gained control of the General Assembly and replaced a simplified version of the seal, eliminating the motto.
Some historians believe the landscape depicted in the Ohio state seal is based on the view from the Adena Mansion, which is now the site of a historical museum. It was the home of one of the state’s first two senators, Thomas Worthington, who also served as the sixth governor of Ohio. The view from the house resembles that depicted on the seal, but some scholars dispute the claim that this similarity was intentional.
The sun is featured atop the Ohio state seal, with 13 rays to represent the original 13 American colonies. Just in front of the sun is a mountain, supposed to represent Mount Logan in Ross County, OH. A river symbolizing the state’s Scioto River flows under Mount Logan and separates it from a farm field containing a sheaf of wheat in the foreground, representing Ohio’s rich agricultural industry. Next to the stalks of wheat is a column of 17 arrows, which is significant because Ohio was the 17th state to become part of the United States of America. The arrows also represent the Native Americans of Ohio.
These basic elements of the Ohio state seal have remained the same, but a number of minor design changes have been made over time. An earlier version, which is also depicted in stained glass on the ceiling of the Capitol rotunda, has a canal boat sailing on the river. Other iterations have changed the sun’s rays, colored the sigil, or resized the lettering around the perimeter.
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