Washington State Seal

The Seal of the State of Washington prominently features a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States, as painted by Gilbert Stuart. Surrounding this central portrait are the inscriptions "The Seal of the State of Washington" and "1889," signifying the year Washington was admitted to the Union. This seal serves as the central element on both sides of the state flag of Washington. Charles Talcott designed the seal, originally intending to depict Mount Rainier but ultimately choosing George Washington's likeness. Additionally, there is a distinct seal for the lieutenant governor of Washington, created in 1959, which incorporates symbols of regional significance such as the willow goldfinch, coast rhododendron, and twin gavels of the state legislature, all enclosed within a circle. The center of this seal features the iconic state capitol building in Olympia, flanked by two western hemlocks, the state tree since 1947, representing the bipartisan spirit of lawmaking.