Kansas State Seal

The Great Seal of the State of Kansas is a symbolic representation of the state's history and values. It features a landscape with a rising sun in the east, symbolizing a new beginning. The seal depicts a river and a steamboat, emphasizing commerce, while a settler's cabin and a man plowing a field in the foreground represent the significance of agriculture in the state's prosperity. A wagon train heading west signifies American expansion and pioneer life, while Indians hunting American Bison add historical depth. The presence of 34 stars at the top denotes Kansas as the 34th state to join the Union, and the state motto, "Ad Astra per Aspera" (Latin for "To the Stars through Difficulties"), underscores the state's resilience. Proposed by Senator John James Ingalls, this seal was established by the Kansas Legislature on May 25, 1861, as a symbol of the state's identity and heritage.