The

The seal shank follows the classical design of the Brass Rat; it carries the official MIT Seal and puts the Institute in the GradRat.

Seal Shank Elements

	MIT A big, bold, classic "MIT" tops the seal shank, in the tradition of the Brass Rat.
	Seal The MIT official Seal is on the center of the shank. The GradRat Committee chose to use the full image, rather than cut the sides. This allows for multiple interpretations of the figures in the seal.
	Mens et Manus The MIT Motto Mens et Manus, which means Mind and Hand is inscribed under the seal.
	MIT Graduate Life Icon This icon represents the life of MIT Graduate Students in many ways:
	Ankh The Egyptian symbol of life, the Ankh is the center piece of the icon.
	Robed Student The ankh is robed to make a graduate student ready for graduation.
	Balance The icon also makes a balance; on one side is the flame of knowledge and the spirit of graduate students. On the other side is the sweat, blood and tears we put into our studies.
	M-I-T The three levels of the icon make up the word MIT.