Seal of Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seal of the City of Los Angeles |
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The seal of Los Angeles (approximation)
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The lesser coat of arms of Los Angeles (approximation) as used by the Government
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| Armiger | City of Los Angeles |
| Adopted | 1905 |
| Blazon | Quarterly: 1 United States, 2 California, 3 Mexico, 4 Spain |
| Use | On executive directives, commissions, and more |
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The Seal of the City of Los Angeles is the official symbol for the City of Los Angeles in California. It has been used since 1905. This seal helps show the city's history and values.
The main part of the seal is a shield, which is surrounded by the words "City of Los Angeles" and the year "1781." This year is when the city was founded. The city officially adopted this seal on March 27, 1905.
Contents
Understanding the Seal's Symbols
The Los Angeles city seal is full of symbols that tell the story of the area. These symbols are part of a special design called a coat of arms.
What the Fruit and Rosary Mean
Around the shield, you can see pictures of grapes, olives, and oranges. These fruits were, and still are, very important crops grown in California. Their colors are also shown on the flag of Los Angeles.
There is also a border made of 77 beads, which looks like a rosary. This part of the design represents the Spanish missions in California. These missions were important settlements built by Spain long ago.
The Four Sections of the Shield
The shield in the middle of the seal is divided into four parts. Each part shows a different symbol, representing the different governments that have ruled Los Angeles over time.
First Section: United States
The top left section shows the coat of arms of the United States. It has a shield with 13 red and white stripes, and a blue section at the top with 13 white stars. This part of the seal represents the United States' rule over California today.
Second Section: California Republic
The top right section shows the flag of the California Republic from 1846. This flag has a white background with a red bear, a red star, and a red stripe at the bottom. This part reminds us of a short time in 1846 when California was an independent republic.
Third Section: Mexico
The bottom left section shows the coat of arms of Mexico from 1823-1864. It features an eagle holding a snake in its beak. This symbol represents the time when Mexico ruled Los Angeles, from 1822 to 1846.
Fourth Section: Spain
The bottom right section shows the coat of arms of Spain from 1785-1873. It includes symbols for the old kingdoms of Castile and León. This part of the seal represents the earliest period of European rule, when Spain governed the area from 1542 to 1821.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Los Ángeles para niños
