The Kansas State Seal

The Great Seal of the State of Kansas was established by a joint resolution adopted by the Kansas Legislature May 25, 1861. The seal is described in the resolution as follows: "The East is represented by a rising sun, in the right-hand corner of the seal; to the left of it, commerce is represented by a river and a steamboat; in the foreground, agriculture is represented as the basis of the future prosperity of the state, by a settler's cabin and a man plowing with a pair of horse; beyond this is a train of ox-wagons, going west; in the background is seen a herd of buffalo, retreating, pursued by two Indians, on horseback; around the top is the motto, 'Ad Astra per Aspera,' and beneath a cluster of thirty-four stars. The circle is surrounded by the words, 'Great seal of the state of Kansas. January 29, 1861.'" The motto, "Ad astra per Aspera, " means "To the stars through difficulties," and was adopted as part of the Great Seal of the State of Kansas.