E very state has a state seal, a circular design that is stamped on official government documents.
Some states also boast a coat of arms.
This is an emblem that usually features a shield supported by two animals or people. . Picture Courtesy EverythingMichigan Michigan has a coat of arms that appears on its state seal and flag. Adopted in 1835, its state seal is based in part on the coat of arms of the Hudson Bay Colony. The shield is supported by an elk and moose, reminders of the region's native wildlife and the fur trade. The shield depicts a rising sun casting its rays over a lake.