Seal of Louisiana

The state seal of Louisiana features a brown pelican tearing at its breast to nurture its young, and the state motto: "Union, Justice, Confidence." All State Seals

Previous versions of Louisiana's seal had as many as 12 chicks in the nest (pelicans rarely have more than 3 chicks, and though pelicans are exceptionally attentive and nurturing parents, they do not tear at their own flesh to feed offspring in hard times).

The brown pelican is a prominent symbol of Louisiana - it is the official state bird, appears on Louisiana's state flag, the official state painting, and is one of three symbols displayed on the Louisiana quarter. Louisiana has been called "The Pelican State" since colonial times.