The Sun
The Vestibule’s theme is “the gifts of nature to man on the plains”. The sun lies at the center of the dome and represents the ultimate gift to man.
Vestibule Seasons
The four seasons are depicted as women in the Vestibule. Spring depicts a woman wearing a shawl of green and red. At her feet, flowers rise from the ground. Summer depicts a woman wiping sweat from her brow. Fall depicts a woman carrying a basket with the fruits of harvest. Winter depicts a woman wrapped…
Vestibule Zodiacs
Four traditional zodiac signs are found in the vestibule: Cancer, Libra, Aries, and Capricorn.
The Fruits of the Soil
The eight vignettes of the vestibule dome are edged in gold and represent the First Fruits of the Soil: Fruit, Maize, Flowers, Grasses, Sheep, Swine, Wheat, and Cattle
Four Moments of Agriculture
The four pendentives depict the actions of working the land: plowing, sowing, cultivating, and reaping
Vestibule Animal Panels
The soffits of the vestibule depict native animals and birds: weasel, bison, badger, opossum, bald eagle, chipmunk, great horned owl, raccoon, bear, bobcat, cogar, mallard duck, wolf, jack rabbit, and elk.
Vestibule Capitals
The carved column capitals are adorned with Nebraska iconography including cattle, corn, and wheat.
Vestibule Chandelier
The Vestibule Chandelier weights roughly 3,500 pounds and is adorned with symbols of corn and arrows meant to represent Native American culture.
Cosmic Star (Creative Energy)
At the entrance to the vestibule lies Creative Energy. In Hartley Burr Alexander’s theme for the capitol, he makes this note about the creative energy mosaic on the floor: “The whole floor will be a symbol of the Creation” While the Cosmic Star looks to just be a simple geometric pattern with points and spheres,…
The House Raising
The House Raising depicts neighbors coming together to help build a house. In the foreground and center, two men shake hands, one holding a level and one holding a saw. Behind the men are two women, one raising her arms in celebration and the other holding a basket. To the left, another man stands holding…
