Where to Find the California State Seal

The **Great Seal of the State of California** appears in two primary official locations:

1. On the State Flag (Obverse Side)

• The seal is **centered on the white field** of the Bear Flag (adopted 1911, standardized 1953).
• The flag depicts: **Grizzly bear** (strength), **red star** (sovereignty), **red stripe** (courage), **green grass plot**, and the **seal** (miner, ships, Sierra Nevada, grapes, sheaf, "Eureka").
• Flies at state buildings, schools, parks, and many homes.

2. As the Great Seal (Legal Instrument)

• **Physical die:** Held by the **Secretary of State** (Sacramento). Used to authenticate gubernatorial proclamations, commissions, legislation, and official documents.
• **Design (Gov. Code § 399):** Minerva (goddess of wisdom, born full-grown = statehood without territory), grizzly bear, grapevine, sheaf of wheat, miner, ships on Sacramento Bay, Sierra Nevada, motto **"Eureka"** (Greek: "I have found it"), 31 stars (31st state).
• **Custodian:** Secretary of State (currently Shirley N. Weber).

Where Else You'll See It

• State agency letterhead, vehicles, buildings.
• California Highway Patrol badge/door seal.
• University of California / CSU diplomas.
• State-issued licenses, certificates.
• Commemorative items (coins, medals, stamps).

Not On

• The **reverse** of the flag (blank).
• The **state quarter** (2005) — shows John Muir, Yosemite, condor — no seal.

The seal is the **visual signature of California's sovereignty**—on the flag for all to see, in the Secretary's vault for the law.