My heart was created to embody the state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (“to the stars through difficulties”), specifically the way our global community must work together to continue to transcend the challenges of humanity. Cosmic imagery is joined by natural landscape on one side, and iconic buildings from the downtown skyline on the other, to represent both the unity and diversity of our metro area and the people who live there. An iconic Kansas City bridge in the center of the heart is visible from both sides, further symbolizing the way the cosmos can bridge the gap between cultures.