Symbols of the Federal Bureau of Investigation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation |
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| Armiger | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| Adopted | January 1, 1941 |
| Blazon | Set of scales, five alternating red and white vertical bands |
| Motto | Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity |
| Use | To represent the organization and to authenticate certain documents |
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| Use | Other  |
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| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Design | The seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation set against a blue background. |
| Designed by | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the main domestic intelligence agency and security service of the United States. Like many organizations, it has official symbols that represent it. This article explains the meaning behind the FBI's seal and flag.
The Seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is the main symbol of the FBI. The agency uses it to show that official documents are authentic. The design of the seal is also used on the official flag of the FBI.
The current seal has been used since 1941. It was designed a year earlier by an FBI Special Agent named Leo Gauthier. He based the seal's design on the FBI flag. The seal is full of symbols that represent the values, standards, and history of the FBI. It is different from the FBI badge, which is older and has another design.
Contents
What the Seal's Design Means
Every part of the FBI seal has a special meaning. The colors and symbols represent the values of the FBI and the United States.
The Center Shield and Wreath
In the middle of the seal is a shield with two laurel branches on either side. Laurel branches are symbols of honor, fame, and achievement. The two branches have a total of 46 leaves. This is because there were 46 states in the U.S. when the FBI was founded in 1908.
Surrounding the shield and branches is a circle of 13 golden stars. These stars stand for the original Thirteen Colonies of the United States and represent a unity of purpose.
The background of the seal is blue, which stands for justice. The scales at the top of the shield also represent justice. The rest of the shield has red and white stripes, just like the Flag of the United States. The red stripes stand for courage and strength, while the white stripes represent truth and cleanliness.
The Motto
Under the shield, a scroll reads "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity." This is the FBI's motto. It was created in 1935 by Inspector W.H. Drane Lester. The motto describes the high standards the FBI expects from its agents. The first letters of the motto also spell out "FBI."
The Outer Edge
The outside edge of the seal has a ring of golden peaks. These peaks represent the tough challenges the FBI faces every day. The gold color of the seal stands for the value and history of the FBI's mission.
The FBI Badge
The FBI seal should not be confused with the FBI badge. The badge, created in 1935, has a different design. It shows a small shield with an eagle on top. The badge features an image of Justitia, the Roman goddess of Justice, holding her scales and a sword.
History of the Seal
When the FBI was founded in 1908, it was called the Bureau of Investigation. It was part of the United States Department of Justice and used the department's seal.
In 1935, the agency became an independent service and was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It needed a new symbol to show its new identity. At first, it just added its name and motto to the Department of Justice seal.
Over the next few years, people suggested ideas for a new seal. They wanted a design that showed the FBI's connection to the Department of Justice but also showed its own unique values.
The current seal was designed in 1940 by Special Agent Leo Gauthier. He was a skilled artist and draftsman. He had already designed a flag for the FBI and used some of those ideas to create the seal. His design was accepted right away and has been in use ever since.
How the Seal Is Used
Since 1954, a federal law has protected the FBI seal from being used without permission for business purposes. Using the seal without approval can lead to legal trouble. The law also prevents people from using the letters "F.B.I." to make it seem like a product is approved by the agency.
The FBI has stopped companies from using the seal without permission. For example, a toy company once put the FBI seal on a water pistol. The FBI told the company to remove it or face legal action.
However, using the name or seal for non-commercial reasons, like in a parody, is generally allowed.
In Books and Movies
The FBI has given permission for its seal to be used in popular culture. In 1956, a book about the FBI's history was published with the seal on its cover. This was approved by the FBI director at the time, J. Edgar Hoover.
Hoover also allowed a long-running TV show, The F.B.I., to use the seal at the beginning and end of every episode.
Versions of the seal can be seen in places connected to the FBI. A large version is at the entrance of the J. Edgar Hoover Building, the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- Uses of the FBI seal
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The FBI seal displayed at the grave of J. Edgar Hoover at Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C.
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A metal-cast version of the FBI seal at the entrance of the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington D.C.
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A DVD embossed with the FBI Anti-Piracy Warning, incorporating a modified FBI seal
Anti-Piracy Warning
Many people in the United States have seen the FBI seal on DVDs, CDs, and video games. This is because of the "FBI Anti-Piracy Warning."
In 2004, the FBI started a program with movie and music companies to fight illegal copying, also known as piracy. As part of this program, a warning label with the FBI seal is placed on discs and their cases. The warning reminds people that making and sharing unauthorized copies of copyrighted work is illegal.
Use on Wikimedia Commons
In 2010, the FBI asked the Wikimedia Foundation, the organization that runs Wikipedia, to remove the seal from its website. The FBI said that having the seal on the site was illegal.
Wikimedia disagreed and did not remove the image. Their lawyer argued that the law was meant to stop people from making fake FBI badges or from using the seal to make money, not to prevent its use for educational purposes on an encyclopedia.
See also
- Copyright status of work by the U.S. government
- Great Seal of the United States
- Seal of the president of the United States
- Seal of the United States Senate
