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Great Seal
Adopted in June 1992.
Today, the seal of the state of Texas has developed into a uniform design with both a front (obverse) and a reverse side. By law, the seal is required to authenticate official documents of the state. The origins of the seal go back to the early days of the republic.
The Obverse
The Convention of 1836 convened on March 2 at Washington on the Brazos and declared independence from Mexico. Ten days later, the convention adopted a resolution providing for "a single star of five points" as the "peculiar emblem" of the Republic. At least when used on official documents, the seal was to be either gold or silver in color.
Later that same year, the newly formed government of the republic passed a bill which refined somewhat the original description of the seal. Thus, it declared, "for the future, the national seal of this republic shall consist of a single star, with the letters 'Republic of Texas,' circular on said seal, which seal shall also be circular." Ad interim President David Burnet first proposed this description, and Sam Houston, who replaced Burnet as president, approved the design on December 10, 1836.
The Third Congress of the Republic of Texas modified the seal in 1839, adding a live oak branch (to represent strength) and an olive branch (to represent peace). The resulting design, basically, is the one used today. When Texas joined the United States in 1845, the design of the seal was retained, with the change only of the word "Republic" to "State".
Over the next century and a half, the various departments of the state government evolved more than a dozen different renderings of the basic seal design. To ensure more uniform usage, an official implementation of the seal (as shown above left) was adopted by the Secretary of State in 1992.
The Reverse
The reverse of the Texas state seal (above right) developed much later than the obverse. It was adopted in 1961, based on a design proposed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. It consists of a shield surrounded by The six national flags that have flown over Texas. Atop the shield is the familiar lone star from which Texas derived its nickname. A narrow banner across the upper part of the seal displays the words "Remember the Alamo". A similar banner at the bottom reads "Texas One and Indivisible".
The reverse of the seal is used only as a decorative symbol. Unlike the obverse seal, the reverse does not carry with it any legal use or significance.
TITLE 11. STATE SYMBOLS AND HONORS; PRESERVATION
SUBTITLE A. STATE SYMBOLS AND HONORS
CHAPTER 3101. STATE SYMBOLS § 3101.001. State Seal
(a) The state seal is as provided by Section 19, Article IV, Texas Constitution.
(b) The reverse side of the state seal contains a shield displaying a depiction of:
(1) the Alamo;
(2) the cannon of the Battle of Gonzales; and
(3) Vince's Bridge.
(c) The shield on the reverse side of the state seal is encircled by:
(1) live oak and olive branches; and
(2) the unfurled flags of:
(A) the Kingdom of France;
(B) the Kingdom of Spain;
(C) the United Mexican States;
(D) the Republic of Texas;
(E) the Confederate States of America; and
(F) the United States of America.
(d) Above the shield is emblazoned the motto, "REMEMBER THE ALAMO," and beneath the shield are the words, "TEXAS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE."
(e) A white five-pointed star hangs over the shield, centered between the flags.
(f) The secretary of state by rule shall adopt the standard design for the state seal, including the reverse side of the seal.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 7.001, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 3101.002. State Arms
(a) The state arms are a five-pointed white star, on an azure background, encircled by olive and live oak branches.
(b) The secretary of state by rule shall adopt the standard design for the state arms.
§ 3101.003. Use of State Seal
A law that requires the use of the state seal does not require the use of the reverse of the state seal or the state arms.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 7.001, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Sources:
Walter Prescott Webb (Editor), The Handbook of Texas, Texas State Historical Association, Austin, 1952
Spain, Jr., Charles A., The Flags and Seals of Texas, South Texas Law Review (Houston), 33 (February 1992), p. 215-259.
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