Whoa, Massachusetts, a tiny state that has more state symbols than almost any other state! Why does such a tiny state have so many state symbols? And why does such a liberal state have so many official state war memorials? (Continued below)
Quick Index
flag, seal, motto, song | flower | tree | beans and berries | birds | mammals | reptile | fish | insect | shell | rocks, minerals & gems | fossil | soil | cultural symbols | symbols of the arts | political symbols| Nicknames & Slogans | |||
| Nicknames | Bay State, Pilgrim State, Baked Bean State | ||
| Citizenry | Bay Staters | 1990 | |
| Symbols of State | |||
| Motto | Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem | > | |
| Song | All Hail to Massachusetts | 1981 | > |
| EcoSymbols | |||
| Flower | Mayflower (Epigaea repens) | 1918 | > |
| Tree | American elm (Ulmus americana) | 1941 | > |
| Berry | cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) | 1994 | > |
| Bean | baked navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) | 1993 | > |
| Bird | black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | 1941 | > |
| Game Bird | turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | 1991 | > |
| Groundhog | Ms. G (Marmota monax) | 2014 | > |
| Marine Mammal | right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) | 1980 | > |
| Horse | Morgan Horse (Equus caballus) | 1970 | > |
| Dog | Boston Terrier (Canis lupus familiaris) | 1979 | > |
| Cat | Tabby Cat (Felis catus) | 1988 | > |
| Reptile | common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) | 2007 | > |
| Fish | cod (Gadus morhua) | 1974 | > |
| Insect | ladybug (Coccinellidae) | 1974 | > |
| Shell | New England Neptune (Neptunea lyrata) | 1987 | > |
| Mineral | babingtonite | 1971 | > |
| Gem | rhodonite | 1979 | > |
| Rock | Roxbury puddingstone | 1983 | > |
| State Building Rock and Monument Stone | granite | 1983 | > |
| Glacial Rock | Rolling Rock | 2009 | > |
| Fossil † | Dinosaur tracks (Eubrontes giganteus) | 1980 | > |
| Dinosaur † | Podokesaurus holyokensis | 2023 | > |
| Soil | Paxton | 1991 | > |
| Cultural Symbols | |||
| Colors | blue, green and cranberry | 2004 | > |
| Historical Rock | Plymouth Rock | 1983 | > |
| Explorer Rock | Dighton Rock | 1983 | > |
| Dessert | Boston cream pie | 1996 | > |
| Donut | Boston creme donut | 2003 | > |
| Cookie | chocolate chip cookie | 1997 | > |
| Muffin | corn muffin | 1986 | > |
| Beverage | cranberry juice | 1970 | > |
| Heroine | Deborah Sampson | 1983 | > |
| Folk Hero | Johnny Appleseed | 1996 | > |
| Inventor | Ben Franklin | 2006 | > |
| Sport | basketball | 2006 | > |
| Recreational and Team Sport | volleyball | 2014 | > |
| Vessel | Ernestina | 1994 | > |
| Tartan | 2002 | > | |
| Folk Dance | square dance  |
1990 | > |
| Folk Song | Massachusetts | 1981 | > |
| Patriotic Song | Massachusetts (Because of You Our Land is Free) | 1989 | > |
| Glee Club Song | The Great State of Massachusetts | 1997 | > |
| Ode | Ode to the Commonwealth | 2000 | > |
| Polka Song | Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts | 1998 | > |
| Ceremonial March | The Road to Boston | 1985 | > |
| Poem | Blue Hills of Massachusetts | 1981 | > |
| Children’s Book | Make Way for Ducklings | 2003 | > |
| Children’s Author and Illustrator | Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss | 2003 | > |
| Artist | Norman Rockwell | 2008 | > |
| Blues Artist | Taj Mahal | 2006 | > |
| Language | English |
1975 | > |
| Peace Statue | Orange Peace Statue | > | |
| Veterans of Southeast Asia War Monument | Worcester, Desert Calm Committee, Inc. | 1993 | > |
| Vietnam War Memorial | Memorial in Worcester | 1990 | > |
| MIA/POW Memorial | Massachusetts National Cemetery MIA/POW Memorial | > | |
| Korean War Memorial | Charlestown Navy Yard Korean War Memorial | > | |
Merely classifying Massachusetts’ symbols is a challenge. It has several state foods and far more official songs than any state needs. Many of its symbols, from the turkey to baked beans, commemorate Massachusetts’ colonial heritage. What could the state flower be but the Mayflower?
And what’s with all those rocks? Massachusetts has an official rock, glacial rock, historical rock, and explorer rock. For good measure, granite was designated the official building rock and monument stone.
Forgot everything you’re read about Confederate symbols. Massachusetts has the most blatantly racist flag in the nation. Fortunately, citizens are working to adopt new emblems. Though it’s a slow, tedious process, it looks like the Bay State could have a new flag by 2024 or 2025.
In the meantime, which official rock is your favorite—Dighton Rock, Rolling Rock, or Plymouth Rock?
If you think state flags and flowers are nothing more than trivia, guess again. A thorough exploration of the more than 1,500 items adopted as state symbols embraces geography, history, and psychology.
You have found the best state symbols website, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The introduction above is adapted from Geobop’s State Symbols and My State Symbols Book, by far the biggest and most detailed state symbols references ever. You can learn still more about the symbols of the 50 states in the books Flag Quest and Grading the States. (Learn more about them here.)
After you spend some time exploring your favorite state’s symbols, you can come back here and tell us what you think about them.
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