The Great Seal of the State of Delaware is the official emblem used to authenticate certain state documents and to represent Delaware in formal and ceremonial contexts. The seal is closely associated with the state coat of arms and appears on official stationery and government property. For an official source of information, see state references.
Design and symbolism
The central composition of the seal features a shield surmounted by a sailing ship and supported by two human figures. Agricultural and maritime imagery dominate the shield, reflecting the economic foundations of the state. Around the outer edge runs the legend identifying it as the "Great Seal of the State of Delaware." At the base of the seal are three dates inscribed: 1704, 1776 and 1787.
- Agricultural symbols: Elements such as sheaves of grain, an ear of corn and an ox symbolize farming, animal husbandry and the importance of agriculture to Delaware's early economy.
- Maritime symbol: A sailing ship above the shield represents commerce, shipbuilding and the role of waterways in the colony and state’s trade.
- Supporters: Human figures—typically a farmer and a soldier—stand beside the shield, signifying civilian industry and readiness to defend civic liberties.
- Motto and legend: A ribbon bearing the state motto and the outer inscription identify the device as the state’s Great Seal and affirm the values it conveys.
History and the inscribed dates
The three dates found on the seal mark milestones in Delaware’s political development. 1704 records the year the Delaware General Assembly was established to govern the Lower Counties while still associated with Pennsylvania; 1776 marks the colony’s declaration of independence from British rule in the broader American Revolution; and 1787 denotes Delaware’s role in the founding of the United States as the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The seal’s composition crystallized in the state’s early years and has been used in various official forms since that period.
Uses, protocol and notable facts
The Great Seal is used to authenticate official acts of state government, such as proclamations, commissions and certain records. State law and executive practice typically govern who may affix the seal and under what authority; misuse is controlled to preserve its legal and ceremonial value. The seal is distinct from, but related to, the coat of arms and the state flag, which incorporate similar imagery for broader display.
Because it combines agricultural and maritime motifs alongside references to civic institutions and foundational dates, the Great Seal of Delaware serves as a compact visual summary of the state’s history, economy and constitutional role in the United States.