Seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security
Symbol of the United States Department of Homeland Security / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Seal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is the symbol of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is used to represent the organization and authenticate certain official documents.[1]
Quick Facts Armiger, Adopted ...
Seal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security | |
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Armiger | United States Department of Homeland Security |
Adopted | June 19, 2003[1] |
Torse | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY |
Other elements | A graphically styled American eagle appears in a circular blue field. The eagle's outstretched wings break through an inner red ring into an outer white ring that contains a circular placement of the words "U.S. DEPARTMENT OF" in the top half and "HOMELAND SECURITY" in the bottom half. The outer white ring has a silvery gray border. As in The Great Seal, the eagle's left claw holds an olive branch with 13 leaves and 13 seeds (olives) while the right claw grasps 13 arrows. Centered on the eagle's breast is a shield divided into three sections containing elements that represent the homeland "from sea to shining sea." The top element, a dark blue sky, contains 22 stars representing the original 22 agencies and bureaus that have come together to form the department. The left shield element contains white mountains behind a green plain underneath a light blue sky. The right shield element contains four wave shapes representing the oceans, lakes and waterways alternating light and dark blue separated by white lines.[1] |
Earlier version(s) | |
Use | To represent the organization and denote official documents, objects, vessels, aircraft, vehicles, and officers.[1] |
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The seal was developed with input from senior DHS leadership, employees, and the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts. The Ad Council, which partners with DHS on its Ready.gov campaign, and the consulting company Landor Associates were responsible for graphic design and maintaining heraldic integrity. The seal is also featured on the DHS flag, which consists of the seal itself emblazoned on a blue background.