Seal of Kansas  The Great Seal of the State of Kansas tells the history of Kansas. The seal contains:  The seal is used on the Flag of the State of Kansas. The design for the Great Seal of Kansas was submitted by John James Ingalls, a state senator from Atchison. Ingalls also proposed the state motto, ""Ad astra per aspera"." The Great Seal of the State of Kansas was established by a joint resolution adopted by the Kansas Legislature on May 25, 1861. The resolution states: