The shape of the seal is that of a Chamorro sling stone used as a weapon for warfare and hunting. The sling stone was quarried from basalt and coral. The Coconut Tree, growing in unfertile sand, symbolizes self-sustanance and determination to grow and survive under any circumstance, with its fronds open to the sky -- defies the elements to bend its will. Its bent trunk attests to a people which have been tested by famine, natural calamities, genocide and foreign wars but have continued to endure as a race.

The Flying Proa, a seagoing craft built by the Chamorro people, which was fast and agile in the water required great skill to build and sail. The spanish marveled at the grace and speed of the proa which typifies the courage and freedom of the ancient Chamorros to fearlessly navigate and trade with islands thousands of miles from Guam. The original River channel (south side of present day Hagatna Boat Basin Channel), where fresh water rush out to interact with the ocean, symbolizes a willingness to share the resources of the land with others.

The permanence of the land mass of Urunao (Ulu Enao) in the background (Rogers, Robert. Destiny's Landfall. 1995 Univ of Hawaii Press. pg 142) demonstrates the Chamorro's commitment to their homeland and environment, be it sea or land. The historian Pale Eric Forbes (http://paleric.blogspot.com)has written that the background of the seal is not Puntan Dos Amantes (aka Two lovers point, Cabo de Dos Amantes, Pt Desamante (from William Edwin Safford, Rev. Jose Palomo Y Torres, R.P. Tolman 1904 map)). Father Eric Forbes has stated that one cannot see Two Lover's Point from Hagatna since Oka Peninsula (near Apurguan) blocks Hagatna's view of the Two Lover's Point.

The background cliff juts majestically into the endless waters of the sea, protraying the people's faithful commitment to passing their proud heritage, culture, and language to the endless sea of future generations. GUAM or GUAHAN means "we have" (see *notes below) is the home ("Tano Y Chamoru") of the Chamoru people. A red stripe surrounding the Guam Seal representing the blood shed by its people during World War II and Spanish occupation. A field of Blue represents Guam's unity with the sea and sky.