Shortly after 1776, states began to adopt their own official state seals, mottos, nicknames, and much more, which are all used to symbolize and represent the uniqueness of each state in the U.S.
The famous Kansas state seal can be seen and downloaded below. The symbols that appear on the official state seal of Kansas were stated by the first Kansas legislature in 1861, which was when Kansas officially became a U.S. state.
The state seal features a rising sun that represents the east, with the river and steamboat symbolizing commerce, and the cabin and settler driving plow horses that represent agriculture within the state and the positive influence it has had on Kansas.
The Great Seal of The State of Kansas
In the middle of the picture within the state seal you can see an Ox pulling a wagon west, and a herd of four Buffalo are being hunted down by two native Americans on horseback. Kansas’ official state animal is a Buffalo, being officially adopted in 1955. There was once millions of Buffalo (American Bison) scattered around the state of Kansas.
The sky consists of 34 stars, which shows that Kansas was the 34th state to be admitted to the Union. There is also an appearance of the Kansas state motto, “Ad astra per aspera” – which translates to “To the stars through difficulties”.
Most states will have their seals showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and the Sunflower State is certainly no different, embodying everything that Kansas stands for.
