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Minnesota (U.S.)

image by Tomislav Todorovic, 31 December 2023
based on image located by Greg Thompson, 19 December 2023

2024 flag
Finial
Vertical hanging and folding of the flag
State Seal
State Military Crest
Proposals for a new flag

See also:

In 1858, a star was added, representing Minnesota, bringing the total number of stars on the U.S. flag to 32. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.

2024 flag

A new state flag was approved today for the State of Minnesota. Two other candidates were eliminated earlier today and no additional legislative approval is required. It will become the official flag in May 2024.

Greg Thompson, 19 December 2023

The final design of new flag has been revealed:
https://www.fox9.com/news/this-is-minnesotas-new-flag-and-seal
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesotas-new-state-flag-design-is-finalized
https://www.startribune.com/tuesday-we-get-a-flag-minnesota-commission-to-finalize-new-state-flag-design-north-star/600329292
Tomislav Todorovic, 19 December 2023

The final report of the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission is available online:
https://21588026.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21588026/State%20Emblems%20Redesign%20Commission/2023_SERC_Final_Report.pdf

The seal description and specification are available at pp. 11-16, while those of the flag are available at pp. 17-21.

The design is derived from the proposal F1953 by Andrew Prekker of Luverne, Minnesota, which also displayed the North Star upon a dark blue field shaped like the simplified outline of the state, but his star was shaped differently (four larger and four smaller rays), while the fly field consisted of three stripes, white over green over light blue. According to Prekker, white represents snow/winter, green represents nature and the importance of agriculture and light blue represents the significance of water, as was retained in the final design.

Source:
Minnesota Public Radio News website: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/28/minnesota-state-flag-redesign-finalists-luverne-designer
Tomislav Todorovic, 31 December 2023

Joe McMillan, 14 February 2000 As another small detail, the outer yellow circle is correct, but the inner yellow circle (underneath the great star) is actually 69 yellow dots, circled in red. Why? No one can prove this, and few could even guess. However, I believe the source is the legislative language that says the State Seal shall be placed on the flag, and most seals have a serrated edge. I believe the small dots are the little edge you see when a seal is embossed on paper.Lee Herold, 21 March 2007

Finial

In Minnesota before 1957 the proper finial for the Minnesota flag was a gopher, a small rodent and the mascot of the University of Minnesota. These are rare indeed today (the finials not the gophers).
Lee Herold, 1 February 2006

Vertical hanging and folding of the flag

In response to a query about vertical hanging of US state flags, the most common practice in Minnesota is to, so to speak, follow the rules and have the US flag to the observers left, the Minnesota flag reverse or backwards, or as one Minnesota paper editorialized "atosenniM". But it is not uncommon to see the US flag vertical, stars to the left, Minnesota obverse, letters correct, along side. I think this is a good solution, leave it up to individual, but probably not formal enough for government work.

The Minnesota Adjutant General's office, head of the Minnesota National Guard, states the state flag should be presented in the same manner as the US flag, i.e., backwards. They are probably as close to proper etiquette authority as there is in Minnesota and the Governor's office would surely endorse whatever they determine.

As an aside, the Adjutant General presented to the Legislature a suggestion for a ceremonial fold of the state flag in a triangle shape, as is done with the US flag. This was adopted into law in 2010 (Feb I believe). Here's the law:

Minnesota Statutes Section 1.141:
Subd. 6.Folding of the state flag for presentation or display.
The following procedures constitute the proper way to fold the Minnesota State Flag for presentation or display. Fold the flag four times lengthwise so that one section displays the three stars of the state crest and the text "L'Etoile du Nord." Fold each side behind the displayed section at a 90-degree angle so that the display section forms a triangle. Take the section ending with the hoist and fold it at a 90-degree angle across the bottom of the display section and then fold the hoist back over so it is aligned with the middle of the display section. Fold the other protruding section directly upwards so that its edge is flush with the display section and then fold it upwards along a 45-degree angle so that a mirror of the display section triangle is formed. Fold the mirror section in half from the point upwards, then fold the remaining portion upwards, tucking it between the display section and the remainder of the flag.

Subd. 7. Folding of the state flag for storage.
When folding the Minnesota State Flag for storage, the proper procedure is to fold and store the flag in the same manner as the national colors.
www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=1.141
Lee Herold, 18 August 2011

State Seal

image from Wikipedia

On 2023-12-05, the State Emblems Redesign Commission unanimously voted to select the design S224 as the basis for the new state seal. The designer, Ross Bruggink, has actually submitted four variants of a basic design, as well as a completely different design proposal for the flag. The commission will meet again on 2023-12-12 to discuss possible modifications of the seal design, as well as to work further on adoption of the new state flag. Both final proposals are to be submitted to the state legislature by 2024-01-01.

Sources:
[1] Fox 9 (KMSP-TV) television station website: https://www.fox9.com/news/the-loon-will-be-on-minnesotas-new-state-seal
[2] CBS News website: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/designer-of-new-minnesota-state-seal-honored-the-commission-chose-his-work
Tomislav Todorovic, 11 December 2023

On 2023-12-12, the State Emblems Redesign Commission reached the agreement on the final design for the seal proposal, slightly modifying the submitted design, as well as narrowed the selection of flag proposals further, only three designs remaining.

Source: Minnesota Public Radio News website: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/12/commission-aims-to-pledge-allegiance-to-new-state-flag-as-soon-as-this-week
Tomislav Todorovic, 13 December 2023

State Military Crest

image by Joe McMillan, 21 April 2000

The state military crest, which is the crest used in the coats of arms of units of the National Guard, as granted by the precursor organizations of what is now the Army Institute of Heraldry. The official Institute of Heraldry blazon is "A sheaf of wheat proper."
Joe McMillan, 21 April 2000