List of California state symbols

Most of the officially designated emblems of the state of California are found in sections 420–429.8 of the California Codes.[1]

Insignia

Type Symbol Description Year Image Source
Flag The Flag of California
Seal The Great Seal of the State of California
Motto "Eureka" 1963
Nicknames Golden State 1968
Song "I Love You, California" 1989

State symbols

Type Symbol Description Year Image Source
Amphibian California red-legged frog
Rana draytonii
2014 [2]
Animal California grizzly bear
Ursus arctos californicus
1958
Bat Pallid bat

Antrozous pallidus

2024 [3]
Bird California quail
Callipepla californica
1931 [4]
Colors Blue and gold Blue represents the sky, and gold represents the color of the precious metal found by forty-niners in the state's hills. 1951
Crustacean Dungeness crab
Metacarcinus magister
2024 [5]
Dance West Coast Swing 1988
Dinosaur Augustynolophus 2017
Fabric Denim 2016 [6]
Fife and drum band California Consolidated Drum Band 1997
Flower California poppy
Eschscholzia californica
1903
Folk dance Square dance 1988
Fossil Saber-toothed cat
Smilodon californicus
1973
Freshwater fish Golden trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita
1947
Fruit Avocado
Persea americana
2013 [7]
Gemstone Benitoite 1985
Gold rush ghost town Bodie 2002
Grass Purple needlegrass
Stipa pulchra (formerly Nassella pulchra)
2004
Historical society California Historical Society 1979
Insect California dogface butterfly
Colias eurydice
1972
LGBTQ Veterans Memorial LGBTQ Veterans Memorial at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City 2018 [8]
Lichen Lace lichen
Ramalina menziesii
2015
Marine fish Garibaldi
Hypsypops rubicundus
2002
Marine mammal Gray whale
Eschrichtius robustus
1975
Marine reptile Leatherback sea turtle
Dermochelys coriacea
2012
Military museum California State Military Museum 2004
Mineral Gold 1965
Mushroom California Golden Chanterelle 2023 [9]
Nuts Almond, Walnut, Pistachio, and Pecan 2017 [8]
Outdoor play The Ramona Pageant 1993 [10]
Prehistoric artifact Chipped Stone Bear 1991 [11]
Reptile Desert tortoise
Gopherus agassizi
1972
Rock Serpentine 1965
Seashell Black abalone

Haliotis cracherodii

2024 [5]
Silver rush ghost town Calico 2005
Slug Banana slug

Genus Ariolimax

2024 [5]
Soil San Joaquin 1997
Sport Surfing 2018
Tall ship Californian 2003
Tartan California state tartan 2001
Theater Pasadena Playhouse 1937
Trees Coast redwood and giant sequoia
Sequoia sempervirens & Sequoiadendron giganteum
1937
Vegetable Artichoke
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
2013[7]
Vietnam veterans memorial California Vietnam Veterans Memorial 2014 [12][13]

See also

References

  1. ^ California Government Code, §§ 420-429.8
  2. ^ "Gov. Brown signs bills legalizing Bitcoins use, other legislation". Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2014.
  3. ^ "California SB732 | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  4. ^ "Iconic California: State Symbols that Represent California". California State Capitol Museum. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  5. ^ a b c "Claws for celebration: Governor Newsom signs legislation establishing state crustacean, slug, and seashell". Governor of California News. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  6. ^ "Stuff jeans are made of honored by California Legislature". Sacramento Bee. September 1, 2016.
  7. ^ a b "California State Foods Named By Gavin Newsom". Huffington Post. April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "State Symbols". State History. California Stale Library. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  9. ^ Stierch, Sarah (January 11, 2024). "Mendocino Flavors: California's new state mushroom, Good Food Award finalists, and more food and drink tidbits". The Mendocino Voice. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "California Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5". legainfo.ca.gov. 1993.
  11. ^ "California State Prehistoric Artifact: Chipped Stone Bear". parks.ca.gov/.
  12. ^ "Vietnam War Memorial". California State Capitol Museum. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  13. ^ "The California Vietnam Veterans Memorial". Vietnam Veteran.