On the 20th anniversary of
statehood
The March/April 1979 issue of
Aloha Magazine described the
symbolism of the state seal
1959 represents the date of statehood.
The rising sun replaces the royal crown and Maltese cross
of the original coat of arms, and signifies the birth of
a new state.
King Kamehameha the Great and Goddess of Liberty holding
the Hawaiian flag replace the two warriors on the royal
coat of arms.
The quartered design of the heraldic shield is retained
from the coat of arms.
The four stripes of the Hawaiian flag in each of the first
and fourth quarters represent the eight islands.
Puloulou, or tabu ball and stick, in the second and third
quarters was carried before the king and placed before the
door of his home, signifying his authority and power. Here,
it is a symbol of the authority and power of government.
The star represents the fiftieth star added to the national
flag when Hawaii became a state.
The phoenix, symbol of death and resurrection, symbolizes
the change from the monarchy to a freer democratic form
of government.
The eight taro leaves, flanked by banana foliage and maidenhair
fern are typical Hawaiian flora. Taro was the staff of life
and had great religious significanc.
The state motto "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono",
"The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"
is retained from the royal coat of arms. |
