The Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin is a seal used by the
Wisconsin Secretary of State to authenticate all the governor's official acts, except laws. It consists of the state
coat of arms, with the words "Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin" above it and 13 stars, representing the
original states, below it.
Top left: A
plow, representing agriculture and farming
Top right: A pick and shovel, representing mining
Bottom left: An
arm-and-hammer, representing manufacturing
Bottom right: An anchor, representing navigation
Center: The U.S. coat of arms, including the motto E pluribus unum
The shield is supported by a
sailor and a
yeoman, representing labor on water and land[1]
Bottom:
A
cornucopia, representing prosperity and abundance
13
leadingots, representing mineral wealth and the 13 original United States[1]
The state seal emphasizes
mining and
shipping because at the time of Wisconsin's founding in 1848 the mining of lead and iron and shipping (via the
Great Lakes and the
Mississippi River) were major industries.
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abc"Wisconsin State Symbols" in Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (comp.). State of Wisconsin 2007-2008 Blue Book. Madison: Wisconsin Legislature Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, p. 962.