CIA Factbook on Intelligence 2002

	Factbook on Intelligence Home
	The Genesis of the CIA
	Original Headquarters Building Cornerstone Ceremony
	Key Events in CIA's History
	An Overview of American Intelligence Until World War II
	Directors and Deputy Directors of Central Intelligence
	Diagram of Director of Central Intelligence Command Responsibilities
	The DCI and his Principal Deputies
	Vision, Mission, and Values of the Central Intelligence Agency
	The Intelligence Cycle
	The Intelligence Community
	Executive Oversight of Intelligence
	Legislative Oversight of Intelligence
	The Buildings of CIA Headquarters
	The Memorial Stars
	The Office of Strategic Services Memorial
	The Memorial Garden
	The CIA Library
	The Center for the Study of Intelligence
	The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity
	CIA Museum
	CIA Medals
	The CIA Seal
	Frequently Asked Questions
	How to Obtain Publications and Maps Available to the Public
	Key to CSI Timeline
Other CIA Publications Download Version Text Only Version

The CIA Seal

Section 2 of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 provided for a seal of office for CIA. The de-sign of the seal was approved and set forth on 17 February 1950 in President Harry Truman's Execu-tive Order 10111.

In this Order, the CIA seal is described in heraldic terms as follows:

SHIELD: Argent, a compass rose of sixteen points gules.

CREST: On a wreath argent and gules an American bald eagle's head erased proper.

Below the shield on a gold color scroll the inscription "United States of America" in red letters and encircling the shield and crest at the top the inscription "Central Intelligence Agency" in white letters.

All on a circular blue background with a narrow gold edge.

Interpretation of the CIA Seal

The American Eagle is the national bird and is a symbol of strength and alertness.

The radiating spokes of the compass rose depict the convergence of intelligence data from all areas of the world to a central point.

The shield is the standard symbol of defense.

Intelligence provided to our policymakers is to help defend our country.