Talk:Seal of California
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Is there a source for the claim that it represents the view from Oakland/Berkeley, and that the strait is supposed to be the Golden Gate? (I always assumed, I admit without any evidence whatsoever, it was supposed to refer to Carquinez Strait.) Aaronrp 19:36, 20 May 2005 (UTC)
- This is interesting, as if this is the Carquinez Strait then the building seen at the left would represent California's first capitol at Martinez. Note though that the horizon is a maritime horizon and that the island at Minerva's elbow could correspond to Angel Island as seen from the Berkeley hills. The rock outcrop would then represent Indian Rock, while the elevation behind Minerva's head would be Mt. Tamalpias. The building would then represent urban San Francisco. It does appear that others support your viewpoint, however. Further research at http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=97 (directed from the official state site) supports your thesis. The 1849 seal illustrated at http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=933 is consistant with the inland view direction, while the 1937 seal shown below that is more consistant with a view to the ocean.
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- Well, if -- as noted in your first link -- the rivers are the "waters of the Sacramento" and the "snow-clad peaks of the Sierra Nevada make up the background," I don't see how the view could be seen as towards the west. (The maritime horizon would be the flatness of Suisun Bay.) Aaronrp 23:03, 18 July 2005 (UTC)
- The Suisun bay concept only "holds water" relative to the older seal. Note the difference between the images of the mountains in the two seals, and especially how the landmass at Minerva's elbow is now more reasonably seen as an island (Angel Island?). I inserted a bit on how it could be interpreted (without the geographic details). What is needed is a 1937 description by the creators. Recall, this was the time of the great exposition on Treasure Island, and the theme character was Pacifica - goddess of the entire ocean. For now, this is couched in speculative terms. I will try to get additional info from primary sources, but this could take a while. Leonard G. 03:46, 31 July 2005 (UTC)
- Well, if -- as noted in your first link -- the rivers are the "waters of the Sacramento" and the "snow-clad peaks of the Sierra Nevada make up the background," I don't see how the view could be seen as towards the west. (The maritime horizon would be the flatness of Suisun Bay.) Aaronrp 23:03, 18 July 2005 (UTC)
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- P.S. Note the subtle difference between the 1937 revision a shown [1] and the current image. Not only have the 31 stars been removed but so have the distant Sierra-Nevada mountains! (These are seen only vaguely above the hills in the 1937 revision,) There is clearly a revision beyond the images shown on the site, so this should be documented also. Sounds like some detective work to do. Also note that the building is not readily visible (if at all) in the original seal - I have always thought that it rather resembled Sutro Baths :-)
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- This is simply inaccurate. The stars are plainly present in both old and new seals. Dim far-away mountains are visible behind the closer mountains in the new seal. The new seal is no more suggestive of the Golden Gate than the original seal -- indeed, the new seal shows the shoreline curving to the left, which is very far from the accurate situation as viewed from Oakland and Berkeley.
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- In any event, I don't believe the article should present speculation in the absence of actual facts. The speculative paragraph about a view from Oakland and Berkeley should be removed unless some source indicates that this was the intent.Aaronrp 03:22, 1 August 2005 (UTC)
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- OK removed, I should have seen the stars. Leonard G. 05:53, 1 August 2005 (UTC)
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[edit] Eureka
A better translation is "I have found it." 1st singular, not 1st plural. It is what Archimedes allegedly exclaimed when he was ruminating in his bathtub and came up with the (2nd?) law of fluid dynamics. --Fulminouscherub 03:32, 24 January 2006 (UTC)
[edit] 1849 description
I made a few small edits here and there, including a spelling correction, but after checking the link to the source of the 1849 description, I see the spelling error was left in intentionally as a matter of historical record. However, this Wiki article does not mention this intention as the source page does. I am more inclined to correct spelling, but if others prefer the original misspelled version, how about a disclaimer as the source has, or at least a "sic" in the text? --TouchGnome 03:29, 17 March 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Commemorative Seals
On May 28, 2002, two additional bronze seals were dedicated alongside the Great Seal of California at the western entrance of the state Capitol. These seals were created to celebrate the past and current contributions of Native Americans and Latinos, as well as recognize the sovereignty of these groups at various points in California's history. This article should be expanded to include these commemorative seals as they were intended to reflect the state's diversity and diverse future. Without objection, I would be glad to draft a section for these seals. Hecman111 05:07, 5 January 2007 (UTC)
