State Symbols That Have Changed

Recently, I've been working on a lot of crafts inspired by state symbols. That got me to thinking - has any state ever changed one of their symbols? Obviously, states have changed their flags and their seals, but has any state decided that their state bird no longer represents them? Or that there's a better choice for a state tree or flower? Let's dive in and find out!

State Birds

Here is the current list of state birds, along with their scientific name, picture, and the year they were designated. There have been quite a few additions in the form of state game birds, waterfowl, raptors, etc. but I only found three examples of states that changed the actual state bird. Florida just tried to change theirs, but it stopped in the Senate. 

• North Carolina had originally chosen the Carolina Chickadee as its state bird in 1933. Due to concerns about its unpopular nickname, they repealed the designation after less than a week. Ten years later, NC selected he Northern Cardinal as its state bird. 

• South Carolina changed its official state bird from the Northern Mockingbird to the Carolina Wren in 1948. They felt the Carolina Wren was a better choice because it is found in all areas of South Carolina and doesn't migrate away from the state. 

• New Hampshire changed their state bird from the New Hampshire Hen to the Purple Finch in 1957. While there are no plans replace it, reports suggest climate change could push the species out of the state, potentially affecting its status.

State Trees

Here is the current list of state trees, with their scientific names, photos, and years they were adopted. I was only able to find one instance of a state changing their state tree. Kentucky had a bit of a kerfluffle with theirs, but ultimately it was not a change. Florida updated the cocoa tree on the state seal to the Sabal palm when they adopted it as the state tree in 1953, but that wasn't a change of state tree either. 

• Utah changed its state tree from the Colorado blue spruce to the quaking aspen in 2014. The aspen is much more widespread in Utah than the blue spruce, which is the state tree of Colorado. 

State Flowers

Here is the list of state flowers, their scientific names, images, and dates of adoption. Like the state birds, there have not been many changes, but there have been additions as states have designated state wildflowers and floral emblems. I was able to find two states that changed their state flowers. Tennessee had a bit of a crazy history with their state flower(s) but I'm not counting it as a change. Georgia has legislation in progress to replace their state flower, but it hasn't happened yet. 

• Kentucky is the Bluegrass State, but they changed their state flower from bluegrass (which is not a flower) to the goldenrod in 1926. 

• Indiana has changed its state flower from the carnation (1913) to the tulip tree blossom (1923) to the zinnia (1931) to the peony (1957). There is a vocal minority that wants to change the peony to a native flower, but for now the state flower is the peony. 

9 of the Most Unique State Symbols: A Quiz

I am really interested in state symbols. I find it fascinating to see what each state considers important enough officially designate it as something that represents them. I'm particularly interested in the more obscure state symbols, which are the subject of today's quiz.

Unique State Symbols Quiz

1. This state named Pluto as its state planet. 

2. This state selected jumping jacks as its state exercise. 

3. This state designated the teddy bear as its state toy. 

4. This state named 'Make Way for Ducklings' as its state children's book. 

5. This state named jousting as its state sport. 

6. This state has chosen a state red wine grape and a state white wine grape. 

7. This state has an official state groundhog. 

8. This state designated the lollipop as its state candy. 

9. This state chose pickleball as its state sport. 

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1. Pluto is the state planet of Arizona. Pluto was discovered in Flagstaff in 1930, the only planet discovered in the US. It wasn't named as the state planet until after it was reclassified as a dwarf planet. 

2. Jumping jacks are the state exercise of Missouri. Jumping jacks were invented by a Missouri-born general as a drill for cadets. 

3. The teddy bear is the state toy of Mississippi. In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt was on a hunting expedition in Mississippi and refused to shoot an exhausted baby bear, which led to his becoming the namesake of the stuffed toy.  

4. 'Make Way for Ducklings' is the state children's book of Massachusetts. It's based on the true story of a pair of mallards that raised their family in Boston Public Garden. Be sure to see the sculpture the next time you're in Boston. 

5. Jousting is the state sport of Maryland. It was selected in 1962, making it the first official state sport in the US.

6. Chambourcin is the state red wine grape and Vignoles is the state white wine grape of Kansas. Kansas was one of the leading wine producers in the country until a statewide ban on alcohol in the 1880's. 

7. Buckeye Chuck is the state groundhog of Ohio. He lives at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and predicts the arrival of spring each February 2. 

8. The lollipop is the state candy of Connecticut. "Lolly Pops" were invented in New Haven in 1908.

9. Pickleball is the state sport of Washington. Pickleball was invented in Bainbridge Island in 1965. 

The States with the Most and Least State Symbols

When I wrote about California's newest state symbols, I mentioned that the Golden State is up to 47 state symbols. The obvious question: how does that compare to the rest of the states? Today I want to look at which states have the most and the least official state symbols. 

Let's start with the state that has the most: Texas. The Lone Star State has a whopping 76 state symbols. Besides the flag and seal, the first Texas state symbol was the bluebonnet, named the state flower in 1901. 

A state tree (pecan) and bird (mockingbird) followed in the next two decades. A few more symbols were adopted in the decades after that, but the vast majority of Texas' state symbols are from the 1990's to now. The most recent state symbols, adopted in 2021, include the state handgun (1847 Colt Walker Pistol), the state knife (Bowie knife), and the state mushroom (Texas star mushroom). Some of the more unique state symbols of Texas include a state bread (pan de campo), a state cooking implement (Dutch oven), state domino game (Texas 42), a state gemstone cut (the Lone Star cut), and a state vehicle (chuck wagon). 

The state with the least is Iowa. The Hawkeye State (its nickname, but not an official state symbol) has 7 state symbols: a flag, a state seal, a bird (American Goldfinch), a flower (wild rose), a tree (oak), a rock (geode), and a song (The Song of Iowa). The most recently adopted was the geode in 1967. For comparison, of California's 47 current state symbols, 36 of them were adopted after 1967. 

Source

While Texas and Iowa represent the extremes in terms of numbers of state symbols, more states are Texas-like than Iowa-like in that regard. The vast majority of states have added multiple state symbols in the last decade or two, just not at the same rate as Texas has, and I don't think the trend is going to stop. 

States with Pledges to their State Flags

I was doing research for an article and came across something that absolutely shocked me: There are 17 states who have a pledge to their own state flag. What?! I had no idea. I thought all of us in the United States were pledging allegiance to the national flag and stopping there. That's the case for 33 states, but citizens in 17 states continue on with a state pledge. Crazy.  

If you are also surprised by this information, take a minute to guess what the 17 states are. Don't guess California - if we had a state pledge, I'd have known about it and wouldn't be writing this post. 

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OK, do you have your guesses? Check the map to see how you did. 

I'm assuming many of your guesses were Southern states - specifically, ones that seceded during the Civil War. If so, that was a good guess: 10 of the 11 Confederate states (all except Florida) now have their own state pledge. But those pledges weren't adopted in the Reconstruction era; they are all far more recent than that. 

State Flag Pledges

Texas (adopted 1933, amended 2007)

Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. 

Georgia (adopted 1935, amended 2022)

I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: Wisdom, Justice, 

Moderation, and Courage.  

 

Arkansas (adopted 1953)

I salute the Arkansas Flag with its diamond and stars. We pledge our loyalty to thee. 

 

Virginia (adopted 1954)

I salute the flag of Virginia, with reverence and patriotic devotion to the ‘Mother of States and Statesmen,’ which it represents - the ‘Old Dominion,’ where liberty and independence were born. 

 

South Carolina (1966)

I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith. 

 

Mississippi (adopted 1972)

I salute the flag of Mississippi and the sovereign state for which it stands with pride in her history and achievements and with confidence in her future under the guidance of Almighty God. 

 

Louisiana (adopted 1981)

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the state of Louisiana and to the motto for which it stands: A state, under God, united in purpose and ideals, confident that justice shall prevail for all of those abiding here.

 

Tennessee (1st pledge adopted 1981, 2nd pledge adopted 2006)

1) Three white stars on a field of blue, God keep them strong and ever true. It is with pride and love that we salute the Flag of Tennessee. 

2) Flag of Tennessee, I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance with my affection, my service and my life. 

 

Alabama (adopted 2001)

Flag of Alabama I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance, my service, and my life. 

 

North Carolina (adopted 2007)

I salute the flag of North Carolina and pledge to the Old North State love, loyalty, and faith.

Before moving on to the rest of the states that have a pledge to their state flag, I have a few comments about these. 

• I cannot believe that people in Tennessee and Alabama are pledging their LIFE to their state. That seems extreme, to say the least. 
• Mississippi's pledge refers to the state as "her." Is that a thing? I know boats are traditionally female, but states?
• Virginia's pledge desperately needs a copy editor. 
• North Carolina's pledge is an exact copy of South Carolina's. I guess I'm ok with that, given that South Carolina has my favorite of the 10 pledges and they're both Carolinas and all. 
• It is so strange that Tennessee adopted a second pledge without retiring the first pledge. It's also strange that the first one starts with a rhyme. 

Here are the other seven states that have adopted a pledge to their state flag. As with the former Confederate states, they are listed in the order in which they adopted the pledge. 

Rhode Island (adopted 1910) 

I pledge allegiance to our State Flag, and to the Republic of which Rhode Island forms a part; one Union inseparable, with honor and reverence for both State and Nation. 

 

New Mexico (adopted 1963)

I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico, the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures.

Michigan (adopted 1972)

I pledge allegiance to the flag of Michigan, and to the state for which it stands, 2 beautiful peninsulas united by a bridge of steel, where equal opportunity and justice to all is our ideal. 

 

Oklahoma (adopted 1982)

I salute the flag of the State of Oklahoma. Its symbols of peace unite all people.

South Dakota (adopted 1987) 

I pledge loyalty and support to the flag and State of South Dakota, land of sunshine, land of infinite variety. 

 

Kentucky (adopted 2000)

I pledge allegiance to the Kentucky flag, and to the Sovereign State for which it stands, one Commonwealth, blessed with diversity, natural wealth, beauty, and grace from on High.

Ohio (adopted 2002)

I salute the flag of the state of Ohio and pledge to the Buckeye State respect and loyalty.

Thoughts on this group of pledges: 

• Rhode Island's pledge, the first, is the only one to mention the Nation. 
• Michigan's pledge could use editing, as it is quite cumbersome. Also, note that "steel" and "ideal" rhyme, but the phrases they're in have radically different rhythms. 
• Um, Kentucky? You are not a sovereign state. 
• I love the pledges of both New Mexico and Oklahoma. Both of them "salute" the flag (rather than pledge anything) and both reference unity amongst their people. 

It's your turn to weigh in! Let me know in the comments what you think about these state pledges, either in general or specifically. What are your favorites and least favorites? Should state flag pledges even be a thing? 

California's Newest State Symbols

I love the concept of state symbols. Whether it's a native tree, a homegrown dance, a descriptive song, an iconic sport, a vital crop, or whatever else, I love when states declare, "This is who we are." 

My home state of California has 47 state symbols. The newest three California state symbols were adopted in September 2024. We now have a state crustacean (the Dungeness crab), a state slug (the banana slug), and a state seashell (the black abalone). 

Source for all photos

All three are iconic in California and are great additions to our large collections of state symbols. Earlier in 2024, we added a state bat (the pallid bat) and a state mushroom (the California Golden Chanterelle). 

Other California state symbols include a state fabric (denim) and a state sport (surfing). Based on my lifeguard training where you had to wear a pair of jeans and jump into the pool, then remove the jeans and fashion them into a makeshift floatation device, I don't recommend combining those two. Wet jeans are uncomfy, difficult to remove, and a far less effective floatation device than a life jacket. 

California has an official State Silver Rush Ghost Town (Calico), which I've visited and an official State Gold Rush Ghost Town (Bodie), which I haven't. 

You can check out all of California's state symbols at the Capitol Museum website, which is an excellent resource. Enjoy!

Thoughts on State Colors

Until very recently, I assumed all 50 states had official state colors. Nope. Not even close. California has had official state colors since 1951 (and unofficially since 1875). Blue represents our beautiful sky and Gold represents the mineral that caused everyone to rush here in 1849, leading to statehood in 1850. Blue and Gold could just as easily represent the blue of our oceans and our golden hills. Together, these colors have always meant California to me.

Shockingly (to me anyway), only 13 states have official state colors. They include: California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Indiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Delaware. They are colored green on the map below. 

The states marked in yellow (Wyoming, Minnesota, Vermont, and New Hampshire) proposed the state colors shown, but the measures failed. Three other states (Ohio, New York, and Maryland), marked with pink, have unofficial colors that are used in state branding. 

Blue and Gold are so integral to California that I have a hard time understanding how so many states have not adopted state colors. On the other hand, I imagine that choosing colors could lead to two problems: similarity or unnecessary controversy. 

Similarity:

Look at the states that do have official colors. There's a lot of blue and gold. And many other states could make a good case for adopting blue and gold as well. Just like California, Alaska has blue skies and a major Gold Rush. Nebraska has its blue skies and golden wheat fields. Kansas, the Sunflower State, has huge blue skies and fields of golden flowers. If a majority of states choose the same official colors, what's the point of having them at all?

Controversy:

Minnesota's failed attempt to declare purple their state color demonstrates the potential controversy that comes from trying to get a bunch of legislators, each representing thousands of constituents, to agree on something that ultimately doesn't matter. Some were adamant that purple (representing both the artist Prince and the Minnesota Vikings) was the perfect choice, while others pointed out that Minnesota already has two named colors and that these represent the timeless beauty of Minnesota rather than modern culture. Perhaps most states are avoiding the inevitable fighting that would come with prioritizing one facet of their state over another. 

Like most things, it's more complicated than it appears at first glance.