The Great Seal, the national seal of the United States as seen at Jeffersontown Veterans Memorial Park outside of Louisville, Kentucky. The 13 stars above the Eagle’s head, and the 13 stripes on the Eagle’s shield represent the original thirteen colonies. The latin motto E pluribus unum means (“Out of Many, One”), a represents a country of many different origins and ethnicities, united as one people. The olive branches and arrows clutched in the eagle’s claws represent peace and war, with the eagle’s head showing a preference for peace, but always being prepared for war if necessary.