Question

Explain why the eagle is holding the olive branch in its right talon rather than its left talon.

Answer 1

The eagle's right talon is clutching a green olive branch with thirteen blue-tinted olives. The olive branch is a symbol of peace. Since the right side is considered to be more important, holding the olive branch in the right talon indicates that the U.S. prefers peace to war, but Americans will fight to defend themselves.

Answer 2

The olive branch is a biblical symbol used for representing hope and peace, so I assume that it is to signify that the barer of the symbol keeps hope and freedom at their right hand.