Discover the Great Seal of California: History, Symbolism, and Meaning

Written by Sandy Porter
Updated: November 2, 2023
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Known for movie stars and swimming pools, to quote the classic TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies,” California is an incredibly unique and diverse state. Pop culture which influences the entire world finds home here, with massive fields also of communications, technology, and other innovative fields. You’ll also find some of the world’s most famous beach, hippie counterculture, fast food and dining experiences, skateboarding, and even fortune cookie influences of the world right here.

Located along the Pacific Coast of the United States, California is about as far west as you can go and still be on the continent. The state covers approximately 163,700 square miles, with nearly 40 million residents. This makes California the most populous state and the third-largest by physical area, behind Alaska first and Texas second. Both Los Angeles and San Francisco make up a huge portion of the population, being major cities containing nearly 30 million residents combined. The capital, though, is Sacramento, located in the northcentral part of the state.

A Brief History of California

Flag of California waving in the wind

Flag of California waving in the wind.

©iStock.com/Matthew Starling

You may divide the history of the State of California into five basic periods of human experience. Beginning thousands of years past, the Native American period is said to have ended in approximately 1542 when Europeans entered the scene. Next, European exploration and expansion fell between 1542 and 1769. The Spanish Colonial period followed, with its missions and religious influences from Spain until 1821. Next, the Mexican Republic period brought additional influences from 1823 until 1848. Finally, statehood in the United States came in 1850.

Some might add a sixth unique era to the divisions of California history: the California Gold Rush. The rush occurred between 1848 and 1855, when hundreds of thousands of hopeful miners escaped their existences in many other parts of the country – and world – to seek their fortune. The brief period brought a unique collection of folks together, diversifying the area even more.

This rich and diverse history of many cultural influences has made California one of the most unique cultural and linguistic landscapes of the Union, even today.

California State Overview

Morning views of the rocky ridges and summits of Eastern Sierra mountains taken from the unpaved road to McGee Creek trail head, California offers some of the most incredible views in the country.

©iStock.com/Sundry Photography

Bordered between the Pacific Ocean to the west and Oregon to the north, with Nevada and Arizona to the east, California has been around since September 9, 1850. Adopted into the Union officially in that year, California became the 31st official state. Both English and Spanish are spoken most commonly in the Golden State, with the capital situated in northcentral California.

Famous for Hollywood, golden beaches, major cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles), and a “laid back” lifestyle, the state welcomes tourists from around the world in droves of millions each year. With nine national parks, including Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree, the state is also known for its wide range of outdoor activities and exciting lifestyle options. Additionally, thousands of species of wildlife live here, drawing in birders, fishers, and wildlife lovers alike.

Seal of California: Origin and History

Bringing together this diverse history, the Great Seal of the State of California has some complex imagery worth exploring. When the state was introduced into the Union in 1850, becoming the 31st official state, the seal was designed ahead of time and approved at the 1849 Monterey Constitutional Convention.

First designed by Major R. S. Garnett of the United States Army, and proposed by Caleb Lyon, the clerk of the convention, the seal has gone through many phases. The first set of seals for the state was engraved after the convention, with slight changes occurring over the century to follow. The current design was finalized and standardized from the original, with only minor design changes since, with final adoption in 1937.

Seal of California: Imagery

Great Seal of the State of California over building

Great Seal of the State of California over building

©Cristi Popescu/Shutterstock.com

Within the images found on the Seal of California, many representations of the most important aspects of California, as a whole, are present. A grizzly bear rests at the feet of the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva, with clusters of grapes gathered near. These represent the agricultural wealth and diversity of wildlife found within California. (Note: Some list Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war as the figure on the seal. The claim is that Athena was born an adult and California never was a territory but went straight into statehood.)

Additionally, the grapes are meant to represent the wine production of the state, with the sheaf of grain representing agriculture more specifically. Representing the California Gold Rush, which was already underwat at the time of the design, a miner is also featured in the design. Sailing ships also grace the seal, representing not fishing and boating (both industries that now easily could be represented for California!) but the state’s economic power and stability. At the top of the seal, you’ll find the word “Eureka,” the state motto.

Seal of California: Design

Color version of the Great Seal of the State of California

Color version of the Great Seal of the State of California

©Momcilica/Shutterstock.com

When you look closely at the Great Seal of the State of California, you’ll notice that around the bevel of the ring, there are thirty-one stars, each representing the existing states of the Union when California joined. Intended to represent the political birth of the state, Minerva, or Athena, the Roman or Greek goddess of war and wisdom respectively, find place on the seal. Therefore, the goddess takes center stage in the foreground of the seal. The other items on the seal, such as the sheaf of grain, the cluster of grapes, and the grizzly bear, were drawn into the design in layers to demonstrate the various aspects of the culture of California.

When paying attention, you’ll notice the peaks of the Sierra Nevada range make up the background, as well. The water in the design appears to be that of the San Francisco Bay, though the intent was to be “of Sacramento.” Additionally, the peaks in the seal have been referred to as both Sierra Nevada and Mount Diablo, adding some confusion.

Seal of California: Previous Designs

former version of the Great Seal of the State of California

former version of the Great Seal of the State of California

©Morphart Creation/Shutterstock.com

The design for the seal was re-evaluated and updated in 1928 and ultimately standardized in 1937. Several incorrect details that had been part of the original and subsequent designs evoked the redesign. The initial design flaws were pointed out in 1914. It took another 14 years before approval to correct them was granted to state printer Carroll H. Smith. Heraldic artist Marc J. Rowe drew up the corrections, including narrowing the growing break in the mountains to more closely resemble the Sacramento River.

The new design also corrected imagery of the mountain range to more closely resemble the Sierra Nevada range. Standardization of the design came to be when state employees wished the print the seal on blotters for a state fair in 1937. They had no official design at that stage and sought something official. Today’s color version was created by Jane Van Doren in 1978 and officially accepted at that time.

California State Motto: History and Meaning

You may have heard the California motto before in reference to a discovery: “Eureka!” Coming from the Greek, the word means, “I have found it.” We might say something like “Bingo!” or “Jackpot!” to say basically the same thing, too.

Supposedly, though, “Eureka” was uttered by ancient Greek scientist Archimedes when he conducted an experiment in which he found the specific gravity of gold. Because of the rich history of California connected to gold and discovery, it seems like the perfect motto for the Golden State. The motto appears on the state seal near the top center.

Some of the Most Common Animals Found in California

An American Pika (Ochotona princeps) calling or screaming with its mouth open from on top of a rock. These critters are found throughout much of California and the west coast of North America.

©iStock.com/Shayne Kaye

With an abundance of wildlife around every part of the state, visitors are bound to see some of the most intriguing and exciting creatures in the country. From winged creatures of the air to the playful marine life, California pretty much has it all.

Other Symbols and Emblems of the Great State of California

Male California Quail (Callipepla californica), the official state bird of California.

©Brocken Inaglory / Creative Commons

Like other states in the Union, California has adopted a good number of official symbols. Each represents the characteristics and nature of the state.

  • State flag: The Bear Flag, official flag of California since 1846 when it was first flown in the Bear Flag Revolt.
  • Nickname: The Golden State, adopted 1968
  • State flower: California Poppy, adopted 1903
  • State amphibian: California red-legged frog, adopted 2014
  • State bird: California Quail, adopted 1931
  • State Insect: California dogface butterfly, adopted 1972
  • State dinosaur: Augustynolophus, adopted 2017
  • State mammal: California Grizzly Bear, adopted 1958
  • State gemstone: Benitoite, adopted 1985
  • State mineral: Gold, adopted 1965
  • Marine mammal: Gray whale, adopted 1975
  • State reptile: Desert tortoise, adopted 1972
  • State rock: Serpentine, adopted 1965
  • State tree: Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia, adopted 1937
  • State vegetable: Artichoke, adopted 2013

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Momcilica/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Sandy Porter is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering house garden plants, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Sandy has been writing professionally since 2017, has a Bachelor’s degree and is currently seeking her Masters. She has had lifelong experience with home gardens, cats, dogs, horses, lizards, frogs, and turtles and has written about these plants and animals professionally since 2017. She spent many years volunteering with horses and looks forward to extending that volunteer work into equine therapy in the near future. Sandy lives in Chicago, where she enjoys spotting wildlife such as foxes, rabbits, owls, hawks, and skunks on her patio and micro-garden.

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