The California state seal features a design that symbolizes the state's history and values. At its center, a grizzly bear represents strength and unyielding nature, while a miner holds a pickaxe, reflecting the California Gold Rush. The seal is encircled by the words "The Great Seal of the State of California" and the year 1849, marking California's admission to the Union. The seal's design was adopted in 1849 and has undergone several modifications over the years. It is used on official documents and represents the state's government and authority. The bear, known as Monarch, is a significant symbol of California's wildlife and heritage.