Coat of arms of North Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of the State of North Dakota |
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Flag of the Governor of North Dakota
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| Armiger | State of North Dakota |
| Adopted | 1957 |
| Crest | On a wreath Or and azure, a sheaf of three arrows argent armed and flighted gules behind a stringed bow fessways Or with grip of the second. |
| Blazon | Or a bend vert charged with three mullets of the first, in base a fleur-de-lis of the second. |
| Motto | Strength From The Soil |
The coat of arms of North Dakota is a special symbol used by the state government and its National Guard (a part of the U.S. military). You can see this coat of arms on the flag of the Governor of North Dakota. It helps represent the state and its history.
Contents
What the Symbols Mean
The symbols on the North Dakota coat of arms tell a story about the state. These meanings are officially written down in state law.
Colors and Shapes
- The colors yellow-gold and green show how important farming is in North Dakota. They stand for ripening crops and wide-open grazing lands.
- The shield of the coat of arms is shaped like an arrowhead. This represents the Native American Sioux tribes, which is why North Dakota is sometimes called the "Sioux State."
Stars and Flowers
- There are three stars on the coat of arms. These stars have several meanings:
* They represent the three main parts of government: the people who make laws (legislative), the people who carry out laws (executive), and the courts (judicial). * Each star also stands for the original thirteen colonies of the United States. When you add them up (3 x 13 = 39), it reminds us that North Dakota was the 39th state to join the Union. * The stars also hint at the history of the area, which was once ruled by three different foreign flags. * Finally, the stars are found on the coats of arms of important explorers like Meriwether Lewis (from the Lewis and Clark Expedition) and Lord Selkirk, who helped start the first permanent settlement in the state.
- The fleur-de-lis (a stylized lily flower) reminds us of La Vérendrye, a Canadian explorer. He was the first known European to visit the area that is now North Dakota.
The Crest
- The blue and gold wreath at the top, called the crest, shows that North Dakota was once part of the Louisiana Purchase. This was a huge land deal where the U.S. bought a lot of land from France.
- The crest also includes a bow and three arrows. This design is taken from the state seal. For the Sioux Indian tribes, this symbol means "mighty warriors."
Who Can Use the Coat of Arms?
The coat of arms is a very important state symbol, so its use is limited to certain groups:
- The Governor of North Dakota
- The North Dakota National Guard
- Official departments and agencies of the state
- Organizations for North Dakota veterans
- Recognized schools and educational groups in North Dakota
- Official "patriotic organizations" in North Dakota
Other Uses of the Coat of Arms
The North Dakota Army National Guard uses the crest (the top part with the bow and arrows) of the coat of arms as their special patch on their uniforms.
Images for kids
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NDNG shoulder insignia
