HISTORY

History of University of California Seal

Original Seal

Official Seal

Unofficial Seal

Diploma Seal

In 1884, the first University of California Board of Regents adopted a resolution stating: "The corporate seal of the Regents shall be of the size of a Mexican dollar, and the legend around the rim shall be: 'University of California — Organized 1868.' And the motto shall be: 'Let there be light'."

In 1903, then-President of the University Benjamin Ide Wheeler was authorized by the Regents to solicit designs for a new University seal and to submit them to the Board for approval. The approved design, which today remains the official corporate seal of the University, was submitted by the world-renowned Tiffany & Co. and adopted by the Regents on August 9, 1910.

The Seal of The Regents contains the words "The Seal of The University of California, 1868" displayed in an arc on the inner rim of the design. In the center, a book is open to a page marked with the letter "A". The book symbolizes the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge, and the letter "A" signifies the beginning of wisdom. A streamer carrying the words of the University motto, "Fiat Lux," flows across the lower portion of the book. "Fiat Lux" is translated from the Latin as "Let There Be Light." Above the book, a five-pointed star with rays of light streaming downward symbolizes the discovery and dissemination of knowledge.

The Seal of The Board of Regents is distinguished from the University Seal by the inclusion in the design of the additional words "The Seal of."

One of the original Tiffany designs

Tiffany Designs

The original artwork commissioned from Tiffany & Co. was destroyed in the great San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. In 1908, The Regents again contracted with Tiffany for creation of a new design incorporating a five-pointed star. From the two original sketches presented by Tiffany, the Regents chose the Seal design still used today.

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