The Cherokee Seal (above) was designed to embrace the early governmentstructure,
and the eternal endurance of the Cherokee Indians.
It was adopted by the Act of the Cherokee National Council, and approved in 1871
The seven-pointed star symbolizes:
(1). The seven age old clans of the Cherokee:
(2). The seven characters of Sequoyah's syllabary, meaning "Cherokee Nation."
(The Cherokee characters are phonetically pronounced "Tsa-la-gi-hi- A-yi-li")
The wreath of oak leaves symbolizes the sacred fire which, from time immemorial,
the Cherokee kept burning in their land.
Oak was the woof traditionally burned, different species of oak having ever
been indigenous to Cherokee country. both in North Carolina and Georgia as well as
in the Indian Territory to which the Cherokee removed in the early 1800's...
The margin wording proclaims the authority of the seal in both the English and
the Cherokee languages, and records the date (1839) of the adoption of
the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation West...
This seal was imprinted on all documents until the dissolution of the
Cherokee Nation at Oklahoma Statehood.
The official flag of the Cherokee Nation was raised for the first time during ceremonies
Sunday, September 30, 1979. It was designed by Stanley John, a full-blood Navajo
who lives in Tahlequah. John submitted 18 different designs to the tribal council.
Only one made use of the Cherokee Seal. It was approved by the tribal council.
The seal is surrounded by seven stars, each with a point in line with the seven points
of the center star. The seven stars and the seven points of each star symbolize
the seven clans of the Cherokees. The seal and the stars are set in a field of orange,
borderd by a black and green rope along of outeredge.
On September 9, 1989, the tribal council approved a resolution that standardized the size,
That being 3' x 5', and design.
To memorialize the Cherokee who died on the Trail of Tears,
the council also approved the addition of a seven-pointed black star.
Visitors
This site was created and is maintained by TigerEyes.
Graphics was created by TigerEyes, WhiteTiger, or others with thier permission and
should not be taken with out written permission from them.
© 1999,2000,2001