Main Pages Front Page Overview Seal FAQs Design Process  1st Committee  2nd Committee  3rd Committee  Final Design  Description  Explanation Latin Mottoes  E Pluribus Unum  Annuit Coeptis  Novus Ordo Seclorum Symbols (front)  Bald Eagle  Shield  Olive Branch  Arrows  Stars  Rays of Light  Cloud Symbols (back)  Pyramid  Eye  MDCCLXXVI Great Seals  Official Dies  First Engravings  First Painting  1792 Medal  Indian Medals  1882 Medal  One-Dollar Bill Myths  Eagle Side  Pyramid Side Themes  Unity  Peace    The Dove    Virgil's Aeneid    Political Drawings 1    Political Drawings 2    Temple of Peace    Diplomatic Medal    Peace Medals    Peace on Moon  Liberty  Thirteen Related  Wild Turkey  President's Seal  Sightings  Resources

The Olive Branch in Political Drawings Before the Revolution During the American Revolution, the olive branch appeared as a symbol in drawings and engravings that expressed the longing on both sides of the Atlantic for peace and the restoration of commerce between the estranged nations (personified as women). Above is a detail from "Britain, America, at length be Friends," the January 1774 frontispiece of The London Magazine. Concord, the ancient Roman Goddess of Harmony and Peace, holds a globe and an olive branch between Britannia and America. "Britain, America, at length be Friends, Accept the terms which Concord recommends! Be ye but steady to each others Cause, Protect, defend, and not infringe the Laws; Ye may together – come the World in Arms, Bear the brunt Shock of hostile, dire alarms. 'Tis Peace, Trade, Navigation, will support The poor with bread – in Dignity the Court. Rush to each others arms, be firm and true; One Faith, one Fame, one interest, makes the two." A year later, in January 1775, the frontispiece of the same magazine published the below engraving: "Peace descends on a cloud from the Temple of Commerce," in which the Goddess of Peace brings an olive branch to America and Britannia. "When fell Debate & civil Wars shall cease, Commerce shall spread her sails o'er all the Seas, England unrivall'd in the liberal Arts, Shall bear her Genius to remotest Parts, Take to they Breast, America again, Thou may'st defy imperious France & Spain." Drawings of peace after the Revolution

Historical content is based on the official history of the Great Seal.
GreatSeal.com is not affiliated with the U.S. Government.
Author and webwright: John D. MacArthur