Alaska has had two state seals, both designed before it became a state. The current seal depicts natural beauty, resources, and industry, with a fish and seal representing seafood wealth. Use of the seal without permission can result in a fine.
Alaska has had two state seals, both designed many years before it became a state in 1959. Both were designed while Alaska was still a territory, officially known as the District of Alaska. The initial seal design incorporated the Alaska Natives, the Inuit, and their igloo homes, and the natural beauty of the area through representations of the Northern Lights and icebergs. The seal that remains the official state symbol today was created in 1910. Like its predecessor, it also depicts Alaska’s natural beauty, but also has a strong focus on the state’s wealth of natural resources, such as timber and minerals, and the its industrial strengths.
The seal is in the shape of a circle and within the outer edge of the circle are the words “The Alaska State Seal”. Also shown in this outer border are a fish and seal, representing Alaska’s seafood wealth, a major factor in the state’s economy. In the center of the circle is an engraving of symbols that were chosen to represent the region on Alaska’s state seal. There are numerous straight lines arranged in a fan, for example, emerging from behind a mountain peak and representing the northern lights, or aurora borealis. Also depicted are ships on a wide river and a train on its tracks to represent the importance of transport, trees and a mining smelter. There is also a farmer engaged in ploughing.
The state seal of Alaska, though designed more than half a century before the territory became a state, still represents Alaska’s great wealth and natural beauty in the select symbolism of trees, icebergs, and the northern lights. However, it has not changed to reflect the addition of several modern industries that reside in the state today and help drive Alaska’s economy. Among the modern industries in Alaska are aviation and the extraction of abundant oil and gas reserves.
Legislation prohibits the use of the state seal of Alaska without official permission. The lieutenant governor has the power to grant permission for its use. Without this permission, you may not use the state seal of Alaska for any commercial purpose. Anyone who does so without official permission can be fined up to $500 US Dollars (USD).
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