It is bordered on the sides with laurel branches. Within this perimeter there is a vertical spear, in front of which is a shield. Underneath the shield, two hands rise away from the spear, both of which carry a large machete. These two hands symbolize the main two ethnic groups of the nation: the Afar and the Somali. The spear is topped by a red star. The star symbolizes the unity between the Somali and the Afar peoples. A Djibouti law established the seal and states its significance, and has been translated into English.