The Seal of the Northern Mariana Islands features a blue background with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone in the center. It is surrounded by a decorative floral head wreath. The gray latte stone represents the traditional foundation stone used in building by the indigenous Chamorro people. The decorative floral head wreath (mwáár) display elements of the native Carolinian culture. The star symbolizes the United States. Above the decorative floral wreath is a scroll displaying in bold letters: Commonwealth of The Northern Mariana Island.

History of the Northern Mariana Islands

After the WWII, the Islands came under the jurisdiction of the United Nations and hence the UN Flag was flown in the Islands from 1947 onwards. The Islands became a part of the Pacific Islands Trust Territory in 1965. The Flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands were flown in the Islands until 1970. A flag design contest for Mariana schools was held in 1972 by the Third Marianas Legislature. The winning flag design by Vito Calvo consisted of a latte stone and a star on a blue background. However, this flag was not officially adopted till July 4, 1976. The flag was modified and a traditional decorative floral head wreath (mwáár) was added in 1981. This modern flag design was officially adopted in July 1985, as the flag of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.