The flag is rectangular, and consists of a design on a medium blue background. According to the official statute, the flag contains a thin gold border and gold fringe, however, this is rarely used. A white circle in the center contains the word MINNESOTA across the bottom, four groups of four stars and one group of three stars spread out evenly around the edge, and designs from the state seal in the center. The star at the top symbolizes the North Star. The design in the center is surrounded by pink-and-white lady’s slippers, the state flower. The border also contains the dates 1819 (founding of Fort Snelling), 1858 (date of statehood), and 1893 (adoption of first flag).
The State Nickname:
The official nickname for Minnesota is “The North Star State” which originates from the French motto appearing on Minnesota’s state flag and seal: “l’étoile du nord.” As French trappers were the first Europeans to explore what is today Minnesota a French phrase reflecting the geographic position of the state is a logical extension of history.