by Rich Tucker
Virginians were busy in 250 years last month. Virginians led the 13 Colonies in the war to free them from British Empire. Others remained in Williamsburg where the Virginia Convention worked hard to create an independent state.
The convention ratified Virginia Declaration of Rights and adopted the Commonwealth’s very first written Constitution. Patrick Henry was elected as its first governor. The convention created a seal for the state that has lasted as long as Declaration of Independence.
George Wythe was the head of the committee who created the seal. Together with other patriots such as George Mason, Richard Henry Lee and Robert Carter Nicholas he created a timeless design. It is still used on official documents, such as driver’s licences and flags.
The front or obverse of the seal depicts Virtus the Roman goddess for virtue. She is presented as the genius, or the guiding spirit, of the Commonwealth. She is dressed as an Amazon and rests her spear in the right hand, while holding a sword in the left. Her head is erect, and her face turned upward.
It is not used on the flag of the state, so the reverse is not seen very often. The seal also includes a scene that is inspired by ancient times. King writes that the Commonwealth has three vows to its citizens:
- “Libertas the goddess of freedom holds a pilus –the cap of an independent citizen –signifying liberty and self-rule.
- Aeternitas represents eternity and holds a globe, a phoenix and other symbols of endurance and regeneration.
- “Ceres, goddess of agriculture, holds in her left hand a cornucopia full of abundance and in her right a wheat stalk, symbolizing Virginia’s abundance.”
In 1779, the General Assembly changed the inscription God has granted us this ease to the single word “persevering”.
On the seal is also the motto of the state: Semper Tyrannis. This means always to tyrants. Virginia’s intention to fight for freedom was evident from the very beginning of the Revolution. First against Britain, and then for all.
The Civil War was a war that divided Virginia more than any other state. King wrote that in 1856 the words Virginia, Perseverando and Sic Semper Tyrannis were first written within the figures. A decorative floral border had also been added. But there was more to come.
The Unionist government in Virginia, which was meeting in Wheeling at the time, added “Liberty and Union”, on both sides of the seal, around 1861. In the early 20 thcentury, legislators restored the seal so that it almost matched words used in 1776. This is the way the seal looks today.
Before the year 1776 the seal of Virginia’s colony changed with each new monarch. This was changed by the Revolution, and those who were part of it would be proud to know that the government they established has lasted for 250 years and counting.
Rich Tucker is a Virginia Correspondent for the Daily Signal. He is a Richmond-based journalist. The Daily Signal has given permission to repost this column.
