Seal of Minnesota

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Great Seal of the State of Minnesota
Minnesota-StateSeal.svg
Versions
Minnesota state coat of arms (illustrated, 1876).jpg
Historical coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)
ArmigerState of Minnesota
AdoptedMay 10, 1983[1]
MottoL'Étoile du Nord
(English: The Star of the North)
Earlier version(s)Seal of Minnesota (1858–1971).svg
UseFormer Minnesotan state seal, used from unknown to 1971.

The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota is the state seal of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Originally adopted in 1858, it has undergone several alterations since then, in 1971 and 1983.[2]

Symbolism[]

A sun on the western horizon is a sunset. The straight horizon line reflects the plains covering much of Minnesota. The Native American is on horseback is riding towards the south. The native's horse and spear and the pioneer's ax, rifle, and plow represent tools of daily life. The only interaction between the figures is one observing the other. The stump symbolizes the taming of the land and the importance of the lumber industry to Minnesota in 1858. The Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls are depicted in the revised seal to note the importance of these resources in transportation, industry and the settling of the state. The furrowing of the ground by the plow represents the submission of the land to the pioneer. The plow also symbolizes the importance of agriculture to Minnesota and its future. Beyond the falls three pine trees represent the state tree and the three pine regions of the state; the St Croix, Mississippi, and Lake Superior.[3]

In the original version, the native American is horseback, in native attire, riding away from the settler toward a setting sun in the west. The settler was placed on the right representing the east from whence civilization has come. He is in the field with his firearm subjugating the virgin prairie with his plow. The plow here symbolizes civilization's power over nature. There is no apparent interaction between the figures, one is at work the other is leaving.

Government Seals of Minnesota[]

  • Seal of the Minnesota Department of Transportation

  • Seal of the Minnesota National Guard

See also[]

  • Flag of Minnesota

References[]

  1. ^ Office of the Revisor of Statutes (May 10, 1983). "119". 1.135 STATE SEAL. Laws of Minnesota. State of Minnesota. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  2. ^ Minnesota Historical Society. "State Seal" (PDF). State of Minnesota. pp. 21–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2005. Retrieved September 5, 2005.
  3. ^ "Minnesota Statutes - 1.135 STATE SEAL". Office of the Revisor of Statutes. 1983. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.


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