The seal, depicts a 14-branched
pine tree rising from the forest, with a
grain sheaf above. The 14 branches symbolize the
Thirteen Colonies and Vermont as the 14th state admitted to the union. A cow on the right, representing Vermont's history of
dairy farming, also appears. On the top of the seal are wavy lines, possibly suggesting
clouds; on the bottom wavy lines suggest water. It is believed that the two sets of wavy lines might also suggest the
Connecticut River and
Lake Champlain, Vermont's east and west borders. The passage
"Freedom & Unity"—Vermont's
state motto—is centered below the state name. The motto is central to the Vermont ideal of balancing
personal freedom with the individual's responsibility to their community. The seal was first used by the government of the independent
Vermont Republic as it existed prior to admission to the
Union. Intended for use to emboss official documents, the seal is not intended for decorative use, the single exception being a large version carved in hardwood and affixed to the Vermont Pavilion at the
Expo 67 World's Fair. That seal was later used as a backdrop behind the podium in the
Vermont State House Press Briefing Room, which is now the minority party's
caucus room. The large wooden Great Seal of Vermont has been moved to the working offices of the
governor of Vermont at
The Pavilion. A more naturalistic and colorful armorial representation of the elements of the seal can be seen in the
coat of arms of Vermont, which is found on the
Vermont flag. It is also used on
letterheads and on signs marking state buildings, bridges, state's borders, and at Vermont welcome centers. By Vermont statute, the Great Seal of Vermont is the shared domain of the
Vermont Secretary of State, the offices of the state governorship, and the legislative and judiciary branches of government. The original metal dies for the first seal of Vermont are stored at the Secretary of State's office at Redstone, a large red brick and sandstone
Queen Anne style house at
Montpelier. == Seals of the government of Vermont ==