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The state seal of Louisiana features the brown pelican tearing at its breast to nurture its young, and the state motto: Union, Justice, Confidence. Previous versions of the state seal had as many as 12 chicks in the nest (pelicans rarely have more than 3 chicks). And though pelicans are exceptionally attentive, nurturing parents, they do not tear at their own flesh to feed offspring in hard times (see Louisiana State Flag page for more details).
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 U.S. Mint's Louisiana bicentennial quarter :
Louisiana bicentennial quarter - image from US Mint
The other 2 symbols on the bicentenneal quarter are a horn with musical notes (a tribute to New Orleans jazz), and the Louisiana Purchase territory. Louisiana has been called "the pelican state" since colonial times.
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