# Title 54 — State Government

## Chapter 54-41 — North Dakota Coat of Arms

### § 54-41-01. Designation of coat of arms.

A coat of arms of the state of North Dakota is designated and described as follows:
Device: On an Indian arrowhead point to base or a bend vert charged with three mullets
of the first, in base a fleur-de-lis of the second.
Crest: On a wreath or and azure, a sheaf of three arrows argent armed and flighted
gules behind a stringed bow fessways or with grip of the second (gules).
Motto: Strength from the soil.
### § 54-41-02. Significant elements of coat of arms.

The colors of yellow gold and green are indicative of the great agricultural state of North
Dakota and has particular reference to ripening grain and the abundant grazing areas. The
Indian arrowhead forms the shield of the coat of arms and symbolizes the "Sioux State". The
three stars denote the trinity of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each star in the
bend is given the heraldic value of thirteen which signifies the thirteen original colonies of the
United States, and the cumulative numerical value of the three stars indicates that North Dakota
was the thirty-ninth state admitted to the Union. The stars also allude to the history of the
territory under three foreign flags. Three stars are borne upon the coat of arms of Meriwether
Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition and also on the coat of arms of Lord Selkirk, head of
the first permanent settlement in this state. The fleur-de-lis alludes to LaVerendrye, a French
explorer who was the first known white man to visit the territory of this state. The blue and gold
wreath in the crest reflects the history of the territory as part of the Louisiana purchase. The
crest which shall constitute the military crest of the state of North Dakota is a motif taken from
the state seal and to the Sioux Indian tribes signifies mighty warriors.
### § 54-41-03. Authorized use.

The coat of arms of this state may be used in a manner consistent with the respect and
dignity due a state coat of arms and its symbolic values by the following persons, organizations,
and agencies:
1. The governor of North Dakota.
2. The North Dakota national guard.
3. Departments and agencies of the state of North Dakota.
4. North Dakota veterans organizations.
5. Officially recognized North Dakota educational institutions, systems, or divisions
thereof.
6. Recognized North Dakota patriotic organizations.
7. The legislative assembly.
### § 54-41-04. Employment as motif for color or standard - Use by governor.

When the coat of arms is employed as the motif of a pennant, color, or standard it must be
superimposed upon a pennant of green, as identified by cable number 65007, in the center
one-third horizontally, and the center two-thirds vertically. The motif must in the main be golden
yellow as identified by cable number 65001. The pennant must be fringed by the same golden
yellow as the coat of arms. The color cable numbers must be the same as are on file in the
office of the quartermaster general of the army, Washington, D.C.
The proportion of the pennant, color, or standard must be as 1 width hoist is to 1.9 fly. When
used by the governor the coat of arms upon any pennant, standard, or placard must have a
white star embroidered or emblazoned on each of the four corners of the pennant, standard, or
placard.
### § 54-41-05. Unauthorized use - Penalty.

A person may not place or cause to be placed upon the coat of arms of this state any
advertisement of any nature; or expose such coat of arms to public view when any

advertisement has been attached thereto; or expose to public view for sale or any other purpose
or have in that person's possession for sale, gift, or other purpose, any article of merchandise or
receptacle for carrying merchandise upon which the coat of arms of this state has been
produced or attached for the purpose of advertising or calling attention to such article. Any
person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of an infraction.
