A state seal is an official emblem rich in early American symbolism.
Mississippi state symbols, for instance, include an industrious bald eagle holding a palm leaf in one foot and a bundle of arrows in the other, as shown on that state's official seal.
Louisiana's state seal features a family of pelicans, which are still found in abundance along the state's many miles of coastline.
A state seal sometimes replaces the name of the state on official documents, though not all state seals contain the state's name. Some states have more than one seal. This page shows the most recently approved state seal from Louisiana to North Dakota.
Shown to your right is the official seal of the United States of America.