List of Michigan state symbols
Appearance
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Map_of_USA_MI.svg/220px-Map_of_USA_MI.svg.png)
The following is a list of symbols of the U.S. state of Michigan. Bills to designate state symbols in Michigan are referred to the Government Operations Committee in either chamber.[1]
State symbols
[edit]Type | Symbol | Adopted | Image | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bird | American robin Turdus migratorius |
1931 | ![]() | |
Coat of Arms | Coat of Arms of the State of Michigan | 1835[2] | ![]() | |
Fish | Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis |
1988 | ![]() |
In 1965, the trout was named the official state fish; this was specified as the brook trout in 1988.[1] |
Flag | Flag of the State of Michigan | 1911 | ![]() | |
Flower | Apple Blossom[note 1] Malus sp. |
1897[3] | ![]() |
A garland of 44 flowers representing the 44 states was made for the World's Columbian Exhibition of 1893 with the Apple Blossom representing Michigan. This inspired Michigan's Legislature to make it official in 1897.[1] |
Fossil | Mastodon Mammut americanum |
2002[1] | ![]() | |
Game Mammal | White-Tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus |
1997[1] | ![]() | |
Gem | Isle Royale greenstone Chlorastrolite |
1972[1] | ||
Motto | Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice (Latin for "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you") [4] |
1835 | ||
Reptile | Painted turtle Chrysemys picta |
1995[1] | ![]() | |
Seal | Great Seal of the State of Michigan | 1835 | ![]() | |
Soil | Kalkaska soil series | December 1990[1] | ||
Song | "My Michigan" | 1937 | [1] | The resolution passed by the Michigan House of Representatives specified "My Michigan" as "the official state song," but this was changed upon introduction in the state senate to "an official song." Because the state failed to purchase the copyright from the song's authors, the song is rarely performed today. |
Stone | Petoskey Stone Hexagonaria pericarnata |
1965 | ![]() | |
Tree | Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus |
1955[5][6] | ![]() | |
Wildflower | Dwarf Lake Iris Iris lacustris |
1998 | ![]() |
Other symbols
[edit]See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ The legislation mentions sweet crabapple (Malus coronaria) as an example.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Gibbons, Lauren (April 4, 2019). "The surprising stories behind Michigan's state symbols". MLive.com. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- ^ "SOS - Coat of Arms". www.michigan.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-12-24.
- ^ "Michigan's State Symbols".
- ^ "Michigan's State Facts". Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- ^ State Tree, Act 7 of 1955, Michigan Legislature, 2002, retrieved November 10, 2019
- ^ 2.31 State tree, Michigan Legislature, 2002, retrieved November 10, 2019