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Kentucky's State Symbols

Symbols

book

State Language: English, adopted 1984 (KRS 2.013)

seal

State Seal, adopted 1942 (KRS 2.020)
    more about the state seal...

State Motto: "United We Stand, Divided We Fall," adopted 1942

Official Latin Motto: "Deo gratiam habeamus" ("Let us be grateful to God"), adopted 2002 (KRS 2.105)

flag

State Flag, adopted 1962 (KRS 2.030)
    more about the state flag...

Pledge of Allegiance to State Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Kentucky flag, and to the Sovereign State for which it stands, one Commonwealth, blessed with diversity, natural wealth, beauty, and grace from on High." Adopted 2000. (KRS 2.035)

cardinal

State Bird: Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), adopted 1926 (KRS 2.080)
    more about the state bird...

brachiopod

State Fossil: Brachiopod, adopted 1986 (KRS 2.082)

viceroy

State Butterfly: Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus), adopted 1990 (KRS 2.083)

sqirrel

State Wild Animal Game Species: Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), adopted 1968 (KRS 2.085)

thoroughbred

State Horse: Thoroughbred (Equus caballus), adopted 1996 (KRS 2.087)

bass

State Fish: Kentucky Spotted Bass, adopted 1956

blackberry

State Fruit: Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis), adopted 2004 (KRS 2.089)

milk

State Drink: Milk, adopted 2005 (KRS 2.084)

goldenrod

State Flower: Goldenrod (Soldiago gigantea), adopted 1926 (KRS 2.090)

agate

State Rock: Kentucky Agate, adopted 2000 (KRS 2.091)

pearl

State Gemstone: Freshwater Pearl, adopted 1986 (KRS 2.092)

soil

State Soil: Crider Soil Series, adopted 1990 (KRS 2.093)

coal

State Mineral: Coal, adopted 1998 (KRS 2.094)

tulip tree

State Tree: Tulip Poplar (Lirodendroan tulipifera), adopted 1994 (KRS 2.095)
     more about the state tree...

dulcimer

State Musical Instrument: Appalachian Dulcimer, adopted 2001 (KRS 2.103)

federal hill

State Song: "My Old Kentucky Home" - modern version, adopted 1986/1988 (KRS 2.100)
    more about the state song...

moon

State Bluegrass Song: "Blue Moon of Kentucky," adopted 1988 (KRS 2.100)
    more about the state bluegrass song...

State Music: Bluegrass Music, adopted 2007

fork

State Silverware Pattern: "Old Kentucky Blue Grass, The Georgetown Pattern," adopted 1996 (KRS 2.300)

State Dance: Clogging, adopted 2006 (KRS 2.101)

 

Places and Events

bernheim forest

State Arboretum: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, adopted 1994 (KRS 2.096)

uk arboretum

State Botanical Garden: University of Kentucky Arboretum, adopted 2000 (KRS 2.097)

State Honey Festival: Clarkson Honeyfest, adopted 2006 (KRS 2.099)

science center

State Science Center: Louisville Science Center, adopted 2002 (KRS 2.098)

actors

State Outdoor Musical: "The Stephen Foster Story," adopted 2002 (KRS 2.107)

State Theatre Pipe Organ: Kentucky Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, adopted 2005 (KRS 2.104)

child

Official Center for Celebration of African American Heritage: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in Louisville, adopted 2002 (KRS 2.109)

amphitheatre

State Amphitheater: Iroquois Amphitheater, adopted 2001 (KRS 2.225)

rope

State Tug-o-War Championship: The Forsdville (Ohio County) Tug-of-War Championship, adopted 1990 (KRS 2.260)

fleming county

Covered Bridge Capital of Kentucky: Fleming County, adopted 1998 (KRS 2.270)

covered bridge

Official Covered Bridge of Kentucky: Switzer Covered Bridge (Franklin County), adopted 1998 (KRS 2.270)

locomotive

Official Steam Locomotive of Kentucky: "Old 152," adopted 2000 (KRS 2.280)

pipe band

Official Pipe Band: Louisville Pipe Band, adopted 2000

barrel rolling

State Bourbon Festival: Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Incorporated, of Bardstown, Kentucky, adopted 2000 (KRS 2.400)

Information Updated:03/30/2007