The Seal of the Sea
By: Kyle Langley
How does one sum up the most powerful naval fleet in one image? On October 23, 1957, President of the United States of America Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order. Thus, birthed the current and official seal of the United States of America Department of the Navy. The official seal of the Department of the Navy has represented and conveyed the meaning and what is means to serve in the United States Navy.
This powerful and influential seal displays a ship similar to the U.S.S. Constitution sailing next to a land mass with a bald eagle sitting on an anchor and the land mass. This image is all surrounded by gold words circling on a blue background that read “Department of the Navy” and “United States of America”. The ship in this image, displays a commission pennant on top the first sail, a national ensign atop the main sail, and the commodore's flag flown on the rear sail. This seal has many distinct aspects that encompasses what the Department of the Navy is.
The use of a old sailing ship similar to the U.S.S. Constitution represents where the Department of the Navy has come from. That class of ship is one of the earliest ships ever built. Those ships back then demonstrated the power and integrity of the United States Navy. Not only does the ship pay respects to the newborn United States, but the three flags atop the ship do so as well. For the average onlooker, the flags might go unnoticed, but if one were to pay closer attention they would the three waving flags. The first flag, the national ensign, displays the original national ensign that was used over 200 years ago. The second flag is a standard United States national flag. Finally, the third flag is the commodore’s flag. The commodore’s flag shows 15 white stars on a blue background. The 15 stars represent the number of US states during that time that commodore flag was made. To display such a ship with its flags, shows that the Department of the Navy has not changed and will continue to powerful and respectful to its roots.
Probably the most interesting part about the seal is the bald eagle that is standing on the anchor and land mass. The bald eagle is probably the most important part about this seal as it is the classical imagery for freedom and unifies the two part of the Department of the Navy. The Department of the Navy has two keys sections to it: The Navy and the Marine Corps. The bald eagle has one foot on anchor and one foot on the land mass. The anchor represents the Navy while the land mass represents the Marine Corps. The bald eagle, in this seal, also acts as the Department of the Navy join the Navy and the Marine Corps. Not only is the bald eagle standing on both the anchor and landmass, but it also has its wings outstretched to protect the anchor, landmass, and the ship. With the wings outstretched the bald eagle also has gold unwavering eyes. The action of the bald eagle shows that the Department of the Navy will not give up and will protect its service men and women unyieldingly.
The final part to the seal is the outside words and edging. Above the center image are the words “Department of the Navy” in gold. The words are carefully placed above the image so that an onlooker will notice those words first. Gold is used for the font color to signify honor and power. Below the image are the words “United States of America”. The reason for the words is for people to identify what this seal is about and for what country. Needing a proper background for the words, the seal displays the official Naval Blue color to contrast the gold lettering. The Naval Blue color brings a sense of familiarity as service members and veterans will easily recognize it. Surrounding the entire seal is golden embroidery with a single golden line. The use of embroidery is very commonplace and almost expected with proper and official military seal. Finally, the single gold line marks the end edge of the entire seal. The use of embroidery, familiar colors, and the words makes the seal known to all that it is the official seal of the Department of the Navy.
It is no surprise that the official seal of the Department of the Navy would have many details and deep meaning symbolism. The seal shows impressive imagery that brings out the qualities and the unification of the Department of the Navy. After 60 years, it is not wonder that this seal has remained the same, since it does a tremendous job of represent what the Department of the Navy means while unifying both of its branches. The official seal of the Department of the Navy sums up the most powerful naval force and unifies the Navy and the Marine Corps.
How does one sum up the most powerful naval fleet in one image? On October 23, 1957, President of the United States of America Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order. Thus, birthed the current and official seal of the United States of America Department of the Navy. The official seal of the Department of the Navy has represented and conveyed the meaning and what is means to serve in the United States Navy.
This powerful and influential seal displays a ship similar to the U.S.S. Constitution sailing next to a land mass with a bald eagle sitting on an anchor and the land mass. This image is all surrounded by gold words circling on a blue background that read “Department of the Navy” and “United States of America”. The ship in this image, displays a commission pennant on top the first sail, a national ensign atop the main sail, and the commodore's flag flown on the rear sail. This seal has many distinct aspects that encompasses what the Department of the Navy is.
The use of a old sailing ship similar to the U.S.S. Constitution represents where the Department of the Navy has come from. That class of ship is one of the earliest ships ever built. Those ships back then demonstrated the power and integrity of the United States Navy. Not only does the ship pay respects to the newborn United States, but the three flags atop the ship do so as well. For the average onlooker, the flags might go unnoticed, but if one were to pay closer attention they would the three waving flags. The first flag, the national ensign, displays the original national ensign that was used over 200 years ago. The second flag is a standard United States national flag. Finally, the third flag is the commodore’s flag. The commodore’s flag shows 15 white stars on a blue background. The 15 stars represent the number of US states during that time that commodore flag was made. To display such a ship with its flags, shows that the Department of the Navy has not changed and will continue to powerful and respectful to its roots.
Probably the most interesting part about the seal is the bald eagle that is standing on the anchor and land mass. The bald eagle is probably the most important part about this seal as it is the classical imagery for freedom and unifies the two part of the Department of the Navy. The Department of the Navy has two keys sections to it: The Navy and the Marine Corps. The bald eagle has one foot on anchor and one foot on the land mass. The anchor represents the Navy while the land mass represents the Marine Corps. The bald eagle, in this seal, also acts as the Department of the Navy join the Navy and the Marine Corps. Not only is the bald eagle standing on both the anchor and landmass, but it also has its wings outstretched to protect the anchor, landmass, and the ship. With the wings outstretched the bald eagle also has gold unwavering eyes. The action of the bald eagle shows that the Department of the Navy will not give up and will protect its service men and women unyieldingly.
The final part to the seal is the outside words and edging. Above the center image are the words “Department of the Navy” in gold. The words are carefully placed above the image so that an onlooker will notice those words first. Gold is used for the font color to signify honor and power. Below the image are the words “United States of America”. The reason for the words is for people to identify what this seal is about and for what country. Needing a proper background for the words, the seal displays the official Naval Blue color to contrast the gold lettering. The Naval Blue color brings a sense of familiarity as service members and veterans will easily recognize it. Surrounding the entire seal is golden embroidery with a single golden line. The use of embroidery is very commonplace and almost expected with proper and official military seal. Finally, the single gold line marks the end edge of the entire seal. The use of embroidery, familiar colors, and the words makes the seal known to all that it is the official seal of the Department of the Navy.
It is no surprise that the official seal of the Department of the Navy would have many details and deep meaning symbolism. The seal shows impressive imagery that brings out the qualities and the unification of the Department of the Navy. After 60 years, it is not wonder that this seal has remained the same, since it does a tremendous job of represent what the Department of the Navy means while unifying both of its branches. The official seal of the Department of the Navy sums up the most powerful naval force and unifies the Navy and the Marine Corps.
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