North Carolina State Seal Patch
Description
The North Carolina State Seal's most recent changes were the standardization in 1971 and an addition in 1983 which produced the currently recognized Great seal. It consists of robe-covered figures of Liberty and Plenty in its center symbolizing freedom from bondage and agriculture respectively. Liberty, standing on the right side is holding a scroll in her right hand on which the word "Constitution" is written and a capped pole in her left hand. Plenty, sitting on the left side sitting down, holding three-heads of grain in her right hand and her left the end of an overflowing cornucopia. The background of the seal depicts mountains and a three-masted ship which symbolizes commerce. The dates May 20, 1775, signifies the date of the Mecklenburg Declaration, and April 12, 1776, signifies the Halifax resolves. The word, "esse quam videri" is a term for "to be rather than to seem".
