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West Virginia State Symbols

By hguetzloff
  • West Virginia Becomes a State

    West Virginia Becomes a State

    Admitted to the Union as the 35th state. Arthur I. Boreman of Parkersburg was the first governor of the state.
  • State Seal Created

    State Seal Created

    The state seal has the name of the state, the date it became a state, and the state motto "Montani Semper Liberi" which means "Mountaineers are always free".
  • Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) Adopted State Flower

    Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) Adopted State Flower

    Rhododendrons can be found in the wild and in yards around the state. Their flowers are usually white, pink, or purple.
  • State Flag Adopted

    State Flag Adopted

    The state flag has the state coat of arms on it which is similar to the state seal, but includes the state flower, a white background, and a blue border with gold trim.
  • Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis Cardinalis) is Adopted as State Bird

    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis Cardinalis) is Adopted as State Bird

    WV shares this state bird with 6 other states because of its beautiful red color and the songs it sings.
  • The Sugar Maple (Acer saccarum) is Adopted as State Tree

    The Sugar Maple (Acer saccarum) is Adopted as State Tree

    Sugar Maple trees are found all over our state. They change from green to a beautiful orange in the fall. Their seeds fall from the trees and are known as "helicopters" for the way they spin on their way down.
  • State Songs are Adopted

    State Songs are Adopted

    All three songs, "The West Virginia Hills", "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home", and "This is My West Virginia", were adopted in 1963. It wasn't until 2014 that the song "Take Me Home Country Roads" was added as a fourth state song.

  • Old Gold and Blue Adopted as State Colors

    These are the same colors used by WVU.
  • Golden Delicious Apple Adopted as State Fruit

    Golden Delicious Apple Adopted as State Fruit

    Anderson Mullins grew the first golden delicious apples in the hills of Clay County, WV over 100 years ago.
  • Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Adopted as State Fish

    Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Adopted as State Fish

    This was decided after the state took a survey of sportsmen to find out what their favorite fish to fish for was.
  • Black Bear (Ursus Americanus) Adopted as State Animal

    Black Bear (Ursus Americanus) Adopted as State Animal

    Like the state flower, black bears can be found in many places in WV. You might even seen a warning sign on your hike to keep an eye out for them.
  • Chalcedony Adopted as State Gemstone

    Chalcedony Adopted as State Gemstone

    This gem is also called Mississippian fossil coral Lithostrotionella. It can be found around Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. People often use it to make jewelry.
  • Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Adopted as State Butterfly

    Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Adopted as State Butterfly

    Millions of monarchs travel through WV in the fall every year when they migrate from Canada to Mexico.