Deciphering the City Seal

(Editor's Note: First in a series of deciphering what each symbol means inside the city seal).

Laguna Niguel might be a young city by comparison to others in the county, but it does have a rich history. 

And thanks to the city seal, filled with all kinds of symbols, you can get a clearer picture of the city you live in, and what it's all about.

For example, in this first round of deciphering the seal, there is a young Native American man dressed in a traditional "tobet," or skirt and an "eneat," or headress.

Native Americans came to the region comprising Laguna Niguel at least 10,000 years ago. They settled near the ocean, in the valleys and along the streams that were rich with abundant fresh water and natural resources. These early dwellers gathered acorns, seeds and fruits, fished along the coast and hunted deer and small mammals for food.

The Franciscan missionaries named these Native Americans "Juanenos" to show their association with the nearby San Juan Capistrano Mission.

The name Laguna Niguel is derived from the Spanish word "Laguna," which means lagoon, and the name of the "Niguiti" or "Niguili" Indian village that was once located along Aliso Creek near the location of the present day Chet Holifield Federal Building.

-- Source City of Laguna Niguel