Great Seal of the State of Tennessee

Design and elements

The seal is circular and surrounded by a legend. Historically that outer ring reads "The Great Seal of the State of Tennessee" and originally included the date "Feb. 6th, 1796." Many modern renderings show only the year "1796." Inside the ring the central field contains a small composition of landscape and objects that convey the state's character.

• Agricultural symbol: a plough or similar implements, commonly interpreted to represent the importance of farming.
• Commercial symbol: a boat or steamboat on a river, indicating commerce and navigation on Tennessee waterways.
• Landscape: hills or a rising sun, used to suggest the state's geography and promise of growth.

History and development

The Tennessee Constitution of Feb. 6, 1796, provided for an official seal, and the first recorded work on an engraved design took place on Feb. 6, 1796 (constitutional provision) with further design activity beginning on September 25, 1801. Over time artists and engravers produced variations; some details and the way the date is shown were simplified in later versions.

Usage and distinctions

The Great Seal serves a formal legal and ceremonial role rather than functioning as a commercial logo. It is distinct from other state symbols such as the flag or any emblem used by individual agencies. Its imagery is deliberately modest and symbolic, emphasizing agriculture and commerce as foundations of the state.

Notable facts

Different reproductions and engravings may vary in small details, but the central idea — a circled legend with the founding date and interior symbols reflecting the state's economy — remains consistent. Because the seal verifies official acts, reproductions are controlled and used primarily by state officials.