Olive Branches And Arrows
Herney had always believed the most dominating aspect of the oval office was the colorful american eagle emblazoned on the room s oval carpet.
Olive branches and arrows. The eagle s left talon clutched an olive branch and. The official explanation describes the symbolism. This is a power exclusively vested in congress. The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace war which is exclusively vested in congress olive leaves carried by a dove is also a symbol of peace.
Upon the breast of an american eagle displayed holding in his dexter talon an olive branch and in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows all proper and in his beak a white scroll inscribed e pluribus unum sable. Paleways of thirteen pieces argent and gules a chief azure. In heraldry the symbol in a figure s right hand has more significance than one in its left hand. These two objects symbolize us preparedness for both war and peace but as the eagle s head is turned toward the olive branches this implies amercia prefers peace.
Thomson explained the symbolism. The great seal of the united states features an eagle holding a sheaf of arrows and a bunch of olive branches in its two talons.