Shortly after America’s independence in 1776, states like Minnesota began to adopt their own official state seal, motto, nickname, and more, which are all used to symbolize and represent the uniqueness of each state and what they stand for.
The Minnesota state seal was adopted in 1858, the same year that the state officially joined the union, becoming the 32nd official U.S. state. The Minnesota Secretary of State is the official keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota, stamping it into government documents to make them become official.
You can see the state seal make an appearance on Minnesota’s state flag. The seal itself features the French motto: “l’étoile du nord,”, which translates to “the star of the north”, which is the state’s official motto and was the reason for the state’s official nickname. Here is the Minnesota seal which can be downloaded too.
What does the Minnesota state seal represent?
Minnesota’s state seal displays the sun on the western horizon, which represents the flat plains that cover much of the state’s land, a Native American on horseback is representing the Native American heritage and influence on the state.
The Native American you can see on the state seal is on horseback and is also yielding a spear. You can see below the horseman, a rifle and a plow. All of these tools were commonly used for hunting, farming, and manual labor, and helped shape the state’s history.
The tree stump that the tools rest on is a symbol of the importance that the lumber industry has had on Minnesota, both past and present, with the cultivated ground and plow symbolizing the importance of agriculture wtithin the state too.
Most states will have their seals showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and the North Star State puts its history and what it stands for across very well in its state seal.
