List of New York state symbols

This is a list of symbols of the state of New York in the United States. The majority of the state symbols are officially listed in the New York Consolidated Laws in Article 6, Sections 70 through 87.^[1] The symbols are recognized by these laws and were signed into law by the governor of New York.

The oldest symbols, the state flag and the state arms, were adopted in 1778. The most recent addition to the list, yogurt, was added in 2014. The origin of the state motto dates back to 1784. During a tour of the state's harbors, waterways, and fertile interior, George Washington referred to New York as the "Seat of Empire". The term "The Big Apple" was coined by jazz musicians of the 1930s who used the slang expression "apple" when referring to any city.

The state insect took nine years to become official. In 1980, fifth grader Kristina Savoca sent a letter - along with a petition bearing 152 signatures - to New York State Assemblyman Robert C. Wertz, urging him to introduce legislation designating the lady beetle as the official state insect. The proposal languished for a number of years, passing in the Assembly but not being considered in the Senate. Approval finally came in 1989, after Cornell University entomologists suggested that Wertz propose the nine-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella novemnotata, sometimes abbreviated to C-9) as the state insect because it was a native lady beetle.

Insignia

Type	Symbol	Year	Image
Flag	Flag of New York	1778[2]
Seal	Seal of New York	1778[2]
Coat of arms	The Coat of Arms of New York
Motto	Excelsior (Ever upward)	1784[3]
Nickname	The Empire State	1784[3]
Slogan	"I Love New York" (official)	1977[4]

Flora and fauna

Type	Symbol	Year	Image
Butterfly	Red-spotted purple/white admiral Limenitis arthemis	2008[5]
Bird	Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis	1970[6]
Dog	Working dog	2015[7][8]
Mammal	North American beaver Castor canadensis	1975[9]
Reptile	Snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina	2006[10][11]
Freshwater fish	Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis	1975[12]
Salt water fish	Striped bass Morone saxatilis	2006[12]
Insect	Nine-spotted ladybug Coccinella novemnotata	1989[13]
Tree	Sugar maple Acer saccharum	1956[14]
Bush	Lilac bush Syringa vulgaris	2006[10][15]
Flower	Rose	1955[16]

Geology

Type	Symbol	Year	Image
Gemstone	Garnet	1969[17]
Fossil	Sea scorpion Eurypterus remipes	1984[18]
Shell	Scallop Argopecten irradians	1988[13]

Culture

Type	Symbol	Year	Image
Beverage	Milk	1981[13]
Fruit	Apple	1976[19]
Muffin	Apple muffin	1987[13]
Snack	Yogurt	2014[20][21]

See also

• List of New York-related topics
• Lists of United States state insignia
• New York
• New York City

References

External links

• New York State Information
• Top Facts^{[permanent dead link]}
• State symbols and emblems
• New York State Symbols

This page was last edited on 9 April 2024, at 09:58