The Seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations features a blue field with a golden maritime anchor as its central image below the phrase "HOPE

Hope

Hope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. It is the "feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best" or the act of "look[ing] forward to with desire and reasonable confidence" or...

." The anchor has been used as a symbol for Rhode Island

Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...

 since the colony's founding in 1636, well before the region claimed statehood.

History

Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams

Roger Williams (theologian)

Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...

, a Christian

Christian

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...

 minister, and others seeking religious freedom from persecution in Massachusetts and Europe. The seal's words and emblems were likely inspired by the biblical phrase "hope we have as an anchor of the soul," found in Hebrews, Verse 6:18-19, within a chapter popular amongst General Six-Principle Baptists

General Six-Principle Baptists

The Six-Principle Baptists were the first Baptist association in the Americas. The "six-principles" adhered to are those listed in :* Repentance* Faith* Baptism* Laying on of hands* Resurrection of the dead* Final judgment...

. After Roger Williams received an official charter in England in 1644, the word "Hope" was placed over the seal's anchor and still remains. The outer circle of the seal reads Seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 1636.

Besides the seal, Roger Williams also used Biblical virtues when he named Providence, Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...

 and the islands in Narragansett Bay: Prudence Island

Prudence Island

Prudence Island is the third largest island in Narragansett Bay in the U.S. state of Rhode Island and part of the town of Portsmouth. It is located near the geographical center of the bay. It is defined by the United States Census Bureau as Block Group 3, Census Tract 401.03 of Newport County,...

, Patience Island, Hope Island

Hope Island (Rhode Island)

Hope Island is a 91-acre island located in Narragansett Bay, in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The island, along with nearby Prudence Island and Patience Island, is part of the Narragansett Bay Reserve, home to colonial wading birds during their nesting season of spring and summer.-History:The...

, and Despair Island

Despair Island

Despair Island is a small island in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.Despair is located in between Hope Island and Prudence Island. The island is composed of many outcroppings of rocks used extensively by nesting birds...

.

Legal enactment

The seal has been adopted by successive Rhode Island government authorities since 1644. The current (2009) General Laws enactment asserts:

§ 42-4-2 State seal. – There shall continue to be one seal for the public use of the state; the form of an anchor shall be engraved thereon; the motto thereof shall be the word "Hope"; and in a circle around the outside shall be engraved with the words, "Seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1636".

See also

• State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
  • Symbols of Rhode Island
    • Flag of Rhode Island
      Flag of Rhode Island
      The flag of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is white and consists of a gold anchor in the center surrounded by thirteen gold stars...
      
      

External links

• Origins of the Seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations