The South Carolina State Seal. The shield on the left displays the palmetto tree, adopted as a state symbol after the palmetto logs (of which the fort on Sullivan's Island was built) successfully withheld the attack of the British navy in 1776, and prevented the capture of Charleston (see Fort Moultrie). The motto, "Animis opibusque parati," is translated, "Prepared in heart and deed." The other shield has a woman holding a bundle of flowers with the motto, "Dum spiro spero," which means "While I breathe, I hope." This version of the seal was engraved by T. Coram of Charleston.
Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
