Valley Scene California History Guide > The California State Seal > Minerva Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Use the Great Seal of the State of California to find out more about what the different symbols mean. Click on a symbol, and an explaination will appear.

Minerva, goddess of wisdom

The woman is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. She represents California because she sprang to life fully grown, just like California became a state without first being a territory.

 

Eureka Minerva Grizzly Bear Miner and Tools Mountains Wheat and Grapes Ships Thirty-one Stars
Eureka Minerva Grizzly Bear Miner and tools Mountains Wheat and grapes Ships Ships 31 Stars