ST. PAUL, Minnesota – Minnesota officially unfurled its new state flag atop the capitol for the first time on Saturday, statehood day.
The new flag and accompanying state seal were adopted to replace an older design that Native Americans said reminded them of painful memories of conquest and displacement.
The new symbols eliminate an old state seal that featured an image of a Native American riding into the sunset while a white settler plows his field with a rifle in hand. The seal was a fundamental feature of the old flag. That’s why there was pressure to change both.
Officials did not choose any of the most popular designs submitted online that included options such as a loon — the state bird — with lasers for eyes.
Instead, the new design adopted in December features a dark blue shape reminiscent of Minnesota on the left, with a white eight-pointed North Star. To the right is a light blue field that, for those involved in the selection process, symbolizes the abundant waters that help define the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The new state seal features a loon amid wild rice.
