Seal of Tennessee

The Tennessee state seal features the Roman numeral XVI to signify that Tennessee was the 16th state to enter the Union in 1796. All State Seals

The plow, sheaf of wheat ,and cotton stalk are symbols of Tennessee agriculture, and the riverboat represents the importance of river traffic to commerce in the state. Tennessee's official state motto was taken from the words on the state seal; "Agriculture and Commerce."

Tennessee is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation, possible because of the state's rich soil, good climate, and rainfall.