The Great Seal of the State of Missouri is a symbol made up of many other symbols.
Circling the Great Seal is the state’s motto “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto” which is Latin for “The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.”
The two large bears stand for courage and strength the 24 stars show that Missouri was the 24th state to be admitted to the Union.
The first Great Seal was authorized on January 11, 1822.
Centered on red, white and blue fields is the Missouri State Seal. A blue band encircles it with twenty-four stars representing the number of states in 1821. The stars in the inner circle have the same meaning.
Two huge grizzly bears support the circular shield in the center, which has three parts The motto "United We Stand, Divided we Fall" The right section representing the United States. The left section containing a moon representing a new state and a grizzly bear standing for courage.