Talk:Lists of United States state symbols

Needs Explanation
Is there an article which explains the tradition of states designating these official symbols, the history of this tradition, and what the implications of a designation is? I don't know if this is a matter of confusion to citizens of other countries, or whether similar traditions exist in other countries. When did these traditions begin? What does designating a 'state bird', 'state flower', etc. mean? If the symbol is of economic value (state food, for example), does it indicate economic subsidies to the industry to support its use? If the symbol is environmental/ecological (state bird, state flower, state tree), does the designation imply legally enforced protection of the species? If a state designates a 'state clothing', does it legally require all citizens to wear that clothing at all times? (bizarre sounding, but someone from a more legally restricted society might get that impression) 69.95.238.89 16:00, 25 January 2007 (UTC)


 * I agree completely with the statement above. I came here looking for an explanation behind all the state symbols and was disappointed to find merely a list. Ideally it would be good if someone could provide perhaps some of the following info:


 * 1) Origin of these state insignia: which was the first state, and when, to decide "this object/animal represents us".
 * 2) Criteria (if any) for having a particular category of insignia. Some of these symbols are quite bizarre. I can understand the reasons for having a state bird, motto, plant as these are fairly typical things used to symbolise states/nations etc around the world. But "State soil"? That's a pretty rare kind of symbol for any entity to use and deserves some kind of background information as to why. Can a state decree that, "from now on, the state window shall be the Single-Sash Hung Window!".
 * 3) What is the attachment of people to their state insignia? Is there state-level pride towards them? Or are they largely ignored in favour of national symbols (bald eagle, US flag, etc.)
 * 4) Perhaps this should be explained on the State Tartan page, but I'd be interested to know the origin of why so many states have an official tartan - presumably there is a Scottish link in there, but it would be good to know the story behind this. Jarby 10:58, 2 October 2007 (UTC)


 * First of all, what purpose do these symbols serve? Ed de Jonge (talk) 14:33, 6 April 2024 (UTC)

Navigation template vs. article content
Color me confused. This article is a list of links to articles about state insignia by topic. It has two navigation templates at the bottom. One (which is hidden by default) lists links to articles about state insignia by topic (that is, it has the exact same content as the article). The other navbox (which is displayed by default) lists links to articles about state insignia by state. When I added links to articles about state insignia by state to the article text, my text was deleted as redundant to the navbox. Why is one list deemed redundant to the navbox, but not both? Why have this article at all, if navboxes are deemed sufficient? --Orlady (talk) 20:54, 4 February 2008 (UTC)


 * In my opinion, it is fine to have no content and just use the navboxes in this case. Otherwise, it is pretty redundant.  There would need to be some formatting changes, but both aren't needed.  If you really like having both lists on the page twice, go ahead and add it back.  I won't revert.  It just seems a little redundant to me.  Cheers,  Reywas92 Talk   —Preceding comment was added at 21:38, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

State Crests
Perhaps a new section should be added for the State Crests? --207.114.206.48 (talk) 09:13, 20 December 2008 (UTC)

State firearms
added List of U.S. state firearms despite top note regarding single state symbols since PA seriously considered adopting one in 2010, and the novelty is deafening. I think we may see more of these popping up in the next few years. --PopeFauveXXIII (talk) 13:09, 29 March 2011 (UTC)

Move discussion in progress
There is a move discussion in progress on Talk:List of United States state prisons which affects this page. Please participate on that page and not in this talk page section. Thank you. —RMCD bot 14:16, 17 February 2013 (UTC)

Requested move

 * The following discussion is an archived discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review. No further edits should be made to this section. 

The result of the move request was: Move. Cúchullain t/ c 15:32, 5 July 2013 (UTC)

Lists of United States state insignia → Lists of United States state symbols – The word insignia connotes visual symbolism, but many of these are non-visual symbols of their respective states. Also, state symbols appears to be the common name for this topic. Furthermore, I would expect Lists of United States state insignia to list official state flags, seals, arms, etc. (actually, rather like List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia). Wilhelm Meis (&#9742; Diskuss &#124; &#x270D; Beiträge) 04:19, 27 June 2013 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.