Seal of Rhode Island

Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Christian minister, Anne Hutchinson, and others seeking religious freedom from persecution in Massachusetts and Europe. The seal's words and emblems were likely inspired by the biblical phrase "hope we have as an anchor of the soul," found in Hebrews, Verse 6:18-19. After Roger Williams received an official charter in England in 1644, the word "Hope" was placed over the seal's anchor and still remains. The outer circle of the seal reads Seal of the State of Rhode Island 1636. Besides the seal, Roger Williams also used Biblical virtues when he named Providence, Rhode Island, and the islands in Narragansett Bay: Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island, and Despair Island. ==Legal enactment==

The seal has been adopted by successive Rhode Island government authorities since 1644. The current (2021) General Laws enactment asserts: § 42-4-2 State seal. – There shall continue to be one seal for the public use of the state; the form of an anchor shall be engraved thereon; the motto thereof shall be the word "Hope"; and in a circle around the outside shall be engraved with the words, "Seal of the State of Rhode Island, 1636". ==Historical seals==

File:Rhode Island, 1647 seal-01.svg|Rhode Island Seal in 1647, used in the colonial records File:Seal of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.svg|The seal used on Rhode Island pounds in the late 18th century File:Rhode Island Seal 1853.jpg|Rhode Island Seal variation used in 1853 File:Seal of Rhode Island (pre 2022).svg| Previous version before the state name change in 2020 referendum File:Seal of Rhode Island (starburst).svg| Illustration of historical version with starburst ==Government seals==

File:Seal of the Governor of Rhode Island.svg|Seal of the Governor File:Seal of the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island.svg|Seal of the Lieutenant Governor File:Rhode Island National Guard Seal.png| Seal of the Rhode Island National Guard File:Seal of the Rhode Island Adjutant General.png| Seal of the Adjutant General of Rhode Island File:General treasurer of rhode island logo.jpg|Seal of the General Treasurer of Rhode Island ==See also==