12 Of The Wackiest Submissions For The MN State Flag: Photos

ST. PAUL, MN — More than 2,600 designs were submitted for the new Minnesota state flag and seal, and they're now available for public view on the State Emblems Redesign Commission website.

Some of the submissions were absolutely off-the-wall, and have since gone viral on social media.

Here are 12 of the wackiest, most interesting submissions we found:

Two submissions featured laser-eyed loons:

Another submission featured a big, ominous loon and the North Star:

This one features Minnesota's unofficial state "bird," the mosquito:

This flag seems to be celebrating Minnesota's newly passed recreational marijuana law:

This one features Minnesota's unofficial state slogan:

Duck, Duck, Grey Duck! If you know, you know.

This flag simply features the proper Minnesota pronunciation of the word "bag."

This flag shows off Minnesota's unofficial state pattern, plaid:

The 28th Virginia battle flag was captured by the Minnesota First Volunteer Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and the state has never returned it, despite repeated requests and threats of legal action.

In case you need a reminder that Minnesota is cold:

Minnesota state flag designs made up about 85 percent of the submissions and can be viewed here.

Minnesota state seal designs made up about 15 percent of submissions and can be viewed here.

This month, the commission will select five submissions each for the state flag and the state seal. They will then select one design to be used as the basis for each emblem.

The commission has until Jan. 1, 2024, to choose and formally adopt a new flag and seal.

Which flag and seal is your favorite? Email william.bornhoft@patch.com and explain why. Your answer might be shared in an upcoming article.

Why a new flag and seal?

The current state flag dates back to 1858 and was designed by Amelia Hyde Center of Minneapolis.

The flag emblem depicts a pioneer plowing a field while a Native American man on horseback rides toward the sunset.

"Minnesotans For A Better Flag" lists 10 reasons why an update is needed, including that it's boring and its details are too small, confusing, and even controversial.

"The seal originally symbolized the white man’s takeover of the frontier from the Native Americans," the group states. "It is confused with more than twenty other state flags: all blue backgrounds with a seal."

Rep. Andy Smith said on Twitter he doesn't include the state seal on office stationary and business cards "because it is not respectful to all Minnesotans."

Minnesotans For A Better Flag shared its proposals here.