Overview
The two supporters represent the unity between Native Americans and colonists. Dexter, a sailor colonist holds a plummet in his right hand; over his right shoulder is a cross-staff. Sinister, a Lenape native to Manhattan rests his left hand upon a bow.
Upon the arms / shield, the four windmill sails recall the city's Dutch history as New Amsterdam and the beavers and flour barrels signify the city's earliest trade goods (see History of New York City). The flour barrels and windmills represent the tremendous wealth generated by New York City from the Bolting Act of 1674. The Act gave the city an exclusive monopoly to mill and export flour. The shield and supporters rest upon a horizontal laurel branch.
The crest over the seal is the Bald Eagle, added in 1784, after the American Revolution. Prior to this change, a crown had been located in this space, representing the authority of the monarchy during the British colonial period. The eagle rests upon a hemisphere. At the bottom is the date, 1625, when Fort Amsterdam was designated the capital of the province of New Amsterdam, the colonial Dutch settlement which would later become the City of New York. The first Dutch settlers actually arrived in the region in 1624, and the town of New Amsterdam was incorporated in 1653.
A laurel wreath encircles the seal.
The city clerk is the custodian of the City Seal.
Read more about this topic: Seal Of New York City