Minnesota Statutes 2004

1.135 State seal.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. This section prescribes the

design and states the historical symbolism of the Great Seal of

the State of Minnesota.

Subd. 2. Official seal. The seal described in

subdivision 3 is the "Great Seal of the State of Minnesota."

When the seal, the impression of the seal, the scene within the

seal, or its likeness is reproduced at state expense, it must

conform to subdivision 3 and section 4.04. A seal, impression,

scene, or likeness which does not conform to these provisions is

not official.

Subd. 3. Design. The design of the seal is as

described in this subdivision.

(a) The seal is composed of two concentric borders. The

outside forms the border of the seal and the inside forms the

border for the illustrations within the seal. The area between

the two borders contains lettering.

(b) The seal is two inches in diameter. The outside border

has a radius of one inch and resembles the serrated edge of a

coin. The width of the border is 1/16 of an inch.

inch and is composed of a series of closely spaced dots

measuring 1/32 of an inch in diameter.

(d) Within the area between the borders "The Great Seal of

the State of Minnesota" is printed in capital letters. Under

that is the date "1858" with two dagger symbols separating the

date and the letters. The lettering is 14-point century bold.

(e) In the area within the inside border is the portrayal

of an 1858 Minnesota scene made up of various illustrations that

serve to depict a settler plowing the ground near the Falls of

St. Anthony while he watches an Indian on horseback riding in

the distance.

(f) For the purposes of description, when the area within

the inside border is divided into quadrants, the following

illustrations should be clearly visible in the area described.

(1) In the upper parts of quadrants one and two, the

inscription "L'Etoile du Nord" is found on the likeness of a

scroll whose length is equal to twice the length of the

inscription, but whose ends are twice folded underneath and

serve to enhance the inscription. The lettering is 7-point

century bold.

(2) In quadrant two is found a likeness of a sun whose

ambient rays form a background for a male Indian in loincloth

and plume riding on horseback at a gallop. The Indian is

sitting erect and is holding a spear in his left hand at an

upward 60-degree angle to himself and is looking toward the

settler in quadrant four.

(3) In quadrant one, three pine trees form a background for

a picturesque resemblance of St. Anthony Falls in 1858.

(4) In quadrants three and four, cultivated ground is found

across the lower half of the seal, which provides a background

for the scenes in quadrants three and four.

(5) In quadrant three, a tree stump is found with an ax

embedded in the stump and a period muzzle loader resting on it.

A powder flask is hanging towards the end of the barrel.

(6) In quadrant four, a white barefoot male pioneer wearing

clothing and a hat of that period is plowing the earth, using an

animal-drawn implement from that period. The animal is not

visible. The torso of the man continues into quadrant two, and

he has his legs spread apart to simulate movement. He is

looking at the Indian.

Subd. 4. Additional effects; size. Every effort

shall be made to reproduce the seal with justification to the 12

o'clock position and with attention to the authenticity of the

illustrations used to create the scene within the seal. The

description of the scene in this section does not preclude the

graphic inclusion of the effects of movement, sunlight, or

falling water when the seal is reproduced. Nor does this

section prohibit the enlargement, proportioned reduction, or

embossment of the seal for its use in unofficial acts.

Subd. 5. Historical symbolism of seal. The sun,

visible on the western horizon, signifies summer in the northern

hemisphere. The horizon's visibility signifies the flat plains

covering much of Minnesota. The Indian on horseback is riding

due south and represents the great Indian heritage of

Minnesota. The Indian's horse and spear and the Pioneer's ax,

rifle, and plow represent tools that were used for hunting and

labor. The stump symbolizes the importance of the lumber

industry in Minnesota's history. The Mississippi River and St.

Anthony Falls are depicted to note the importance of these

resources in transportation and industry. The cultivated ground

and the plow symbolize the importance of agriculture in

Minnesota. Beyond the falls three pine trees represent the

state tree and the three great pine regions of Minnesota; the

St. Croix, Mississippi, and Lake Superior.

Subd. 6. State's duties. State agencies and

departments using the seal, its impression, the scene within the

seal or its likeness shall make every effort to bring any seal,

impression, scene, or likeness currently fixed to a permanent

object into accordance with this section and section 4.04.

Expendable material to which the seal or any impression, scene,

or likeness is currently affixed may be used until the supply is

exhausted. All unused dies and engravings of the Great Seal

shall be given to the Minnesota Historical Society, along with

all historical information available about the seal, to be

retained in the society's permanent collection.

HIST: 1983 c 119 s 1; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 1