US State symbols: Have you ever stopped to consider why the mighty grizzly bear represents California or why the Saguaro Cactus stands for Arizona? The symbols of the United States are more than just items of trivia; they are a living, breathing expression of a state’s history, culture, and natural environment. In an era where states are constantly adding to their emblems, like Minnesota’s recent designation of the giant beaver as its official fossil in May 2025, these legislative acts remind us how deeply ingrained these state symbols are in the local identity.
 We’ve meticulously researched official government archives and historical records to create this comprehensive A-to-Z list. So, this list of US State symbols goes beyond a simple list of United States state symbols, providing meaning and context for each emblem. Whether you’re curious about the symbolism behind the state symbols of Texas or just looking for a new, fun fact, our guide is built to be your single, credible source.
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What is a State Symbol?Â
A state symbol is an emblem, object, or concept that a state legislature has officially designated to represent its unique culture, history, or geography. These symbols can be anything from a state’s flag or motto to its official bird, flower, or even a specific food. The process for choosing a symbol often starts with an idea from a private citizen or even a group of schoolchildren, who then lobby their state representatives to pass a bill for official recognition. 
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List of State Symbols by StateÂ
This comprehensive A-to-Z list details the official symbols for all 50 U.S. states. Each entry provides a snapshot of the state’s identity through its emblems.
US State
State Bird
State Flower
State Tree
State Animal
State Song
Northern Flicker
Camellia
Southern Longleaf Pine
American Black Bear
Alabama
Willow Ptarmigan
Forget-me-not
Sitka Spruce
Moose
Alaska’s Flag
Cactus Wren
Saguaro Cactus Blossom
Paloverde
Ringtail
Arizona
Northern Mockingbird
Apple Blossom
Loblolly Pine
White-tailed Deer
Arkansas
California Quail
California Poppy
California Redwood
Grizzly Bear
I Love You, California
Lark Bunting
Rocky Mountain Columbine
Blue Spruce
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Where the Columbines Grow
American Robin
Mountain Laurel
White Oak
Sperm Whale
N/A
Delaware
Blue Hen Chicken
Peach Blossom
American Holly
Grey Fox
Our Delaware
Northern Mockingbird
Orange Blossom
Sabal Palm
Florida Panther
The Swanee River
Brown Thrasher
Cherokee Rose
Live Oak
Right Whale
Georgia on My Mind
Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose)
Yellow Hibiscus
Kukui
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī
Mountain Bluebird
Syringa
Western White Pine
Appaloosa Horse
Here We Have Idaho
Northern Cardinal
Violet
White Oak
White-tailed Deer
Illinois
Northern Cardinal
Peony
Tulip Tree
N/A
On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away
Eastern Goldfinch
Wild Rose
Oak
N/A
The Song of Iowa
Western Meadowlark
Sunflower
Cottonwood
American Buffalo
Home on the Range
Northern Cardinal
Goldenrod
Tulip Poplar
Gray Squirrel
My Old Kentucky Home
Brown Pelican
Magnolia
Bald Cypress
Black Bear
You Are My Sunshine
Black-capped Chickadee
Pine Cone and Tassel
White Pine
Moose
State of Maine Song
Baltimore Oriole
Black-eyed Susan
White Oak
Calico Cat
Maryland, My Maryland
Massachusetts
Black-capped Chickadee
Mayflower
American Elm
Right Whale
All Hail, Massachusetts
American Robin
Apple Blossom
Eastern White Pine
White-tailed Deer
N/A
Common Loon
Pink and White Lady’s-slipper
Norway Pine
N/A
Hail! Minnesota
Northern Mockingbird
Magnolia
Southern Magnolia
White-tailed Deer
Go, Mississippi
Eastern Bluebird
Hawthorn
Flowering Dogwood
Missouri Mule
Missouri Waltz
Western Meadowlark
Bitterroot
Ponderosa Pine
Grizzly Bear
Montana
Western Meadowlark
Goldenrod
Eastern Cottonwood
White-tailed Deer
Beautiful Nebraska
Mountain Bluebird
Sagebrush
Single-leaf Piñon
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Home Means Nevada
Purple Finch
Purple Lilac
White Birch
White-tailed Deer
Old New HampshireÂ
Eastern Goldfinch
Violet
Red Oak
N/A
N/A
Roadrunner
Yucca Flower
Piñon Pine
American Black Bear
“O Fair New Mexico”
Eastern Bluebird
Rose
Sugar Maple
Beaver
“I Love New York”
Northern Cardinal
Dogwood
Pine
Gray Squirrel
“The Old North State”
Western Meadowlark
Wild Prairie Rose
American Elm
N/A
“North Dakota Hymn”
Northern Cardinal
Scarlet Carnation
Ohio Buckeye
White-tailed Deer
“Beautiful Ohio”
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Mistletoe
Redbud
Buffalo
Oklahoma!
Western Meadowlark
Oregon Grape
Douglas-fir
American Beaver
Oregon, My Oregon
Ruffed Grouse
Mountain Laurel
Eastern Hemlock
White-tailed Deer
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Red
Violet
Red Maple
N/A
N/A
Carolina Wren
Yellow Jessamine
Palmetto Tree
White-tailed Deer
Carolina
Ring-necked Pheasant
Pasque Flower
Black Hills Spruce
Coyote
Hail, South Dakota!”
Northern Mockingbird
Iris
Tulip Poplar
Raccoon
“My Homeland, Tennessee”
Northern Mockingbird
Bluebonnet
Pecan
Longhorn
“Texas, Our Texas”
California Gull
Sego Lily
Quaking Aspen
Rocky Mountain Elk
“Utah, We Love Thee”
Hermit Thrush
Red Clover
Sugar Maple
N/A
“These Green Mountains”
Virginia
Northern Cardinal
Flowering Dogwood
American Dogwood
Virginia Big-eared Bat
“Carry Me Back to Old Virginia”
American Goldfinch
Pacific Rhododendron
Western Hemlock
N/A
“Washington, My Home”
Northern Cardinal
Rhododendron
Sugar Maple
Black Bear
“The West Virginia Hills”
American Robin
Wood Violet
Sugar Maple
Badger
“On Wisconsin”
Western Meadowlark
Indian Paintbrush
Cottonwood
American Bison
“Wyoming”
How are State Symbols Chosen?
The process for adopting a new state symbol is a fascinating blend of public initiative and legislative action. Often, the journey begins with an advocacy campaign from a group of enthusiastic citizens, particularly students who learn about state government in their civics classes. These groups may draft a bill and present a case to their state legislature. Lawmakers then debate the merits of the proposal, considering the symbol’s historical significance, cultural relevance, and representation of the state. If the bill passes, the governor signs it into law, cementing the new symbol in the state’s official record. This democratic process ensures that each symbol is a meaningful reflection of its people and their values.
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The array of US state symbols serves as a colorful and dynamic chronicle of American heritage. As each state continues to evolve, so too do its symbols, ensuring they remain relevant and representative of their unique spirit. This living collection of emblems is a testament to the nation’s enduring diversity and shared sense of identity.