At the center of the coat of arms is a shield of horizontal red, blue and white stripes. On the red stripe is hay and a cob of corn. On the white stripe is an ox standing on grass. Above the shield is a sailing ship. Supporting the shield are a farmer on the left and a militiaman on the right. Underneath the shield is the state motto.
The sheaf of wheat is taken from the Sussex County seal and signifies the agricultural vitality of the state.
The ear of corn was taken from the Kent County seal and symbolizes the agricultural basis of the state's economy.
The blue stripe, above the ox, represents the Delaware River, the main stay of the state's commerce and transportation.
The ox represents the importance of animal husbandry to the state's economy.
The ship is a symbol of New Castle County's ship building industry and the state's extensive coastal commerce.
The farmer with the hoe represents the central role of farming to the state.
The soldier, a militiaman with his musket, recognizes the crucial role of the citizen-soldier to the maintenance of American liberties.
The seal was originally adopted in 1777 with minor changes made in 1793, 1847, and 1907. The current version was adopted in 2004.
From 1793 until 1847 the figures of the farmer and the soldier were eliminated from the seal.
In 1847 the motto "Liberty and Independence," was added on a ribbon underneath the shield.
In 1907 the seal was "modernized" and "THE DELAWARE STATE" was changed to "THE STATE OF DELAWARE".
Blazon
The seal now used as the Great Seal of this State and bearing the arms of this State shall be the Great Seal of this State. It is emblazoned as follows: Party per fess, or and argent, the first charged with a garb in bend dexter and an ear of maize in bend sinister, both proper; the second charged with an ox statant, ruminating, proper; fess, wavy azure, supporters on the dexter a husbandman with a hilling hoe, on the sinister a rifleman armed and accoutered at ease. Crest, on a wreath azure and argent, a ship under full sail, proper, with the words "Great Seal of the State of Delaware," the dates "1704, 1776, and 1787," and the words "Liberty and Independence" engraved thereon.
