State symbols

North Carolina state symbols

State motto: Esse quam videri (“To be, rather than to seem”) (1893)

State song: “The Old North State” (1927)

State flower: Dogwood (1941)

State bird: Cardinal (1943)

State colors: the red and blue of the N.C. and U.S. flags (1945)

State toast: “The Tar Heel Toast” (1957)

State tree: Longleaf Pine (1963)

State shell: Scotch bonnet (1965)

State mammal: Eastern Gray Squirrel (1969)

State salt water fish: Red Drum (also known as the Channel bass) (1971)

State insect: European honey bee (1973)

State gemstone: Emerald (1973)

State reptile: Eastern Box Turtle (1979)

State rock: Granite (1979)

State beverage: Milk (1987)

State historical boat: Shad boat (1987)

State language: English (1987)

State dog: Plott Hound (1989)

State military academy: Oak Ridge Military Academy (1991)

State tartan: Carolina tartan (1991)[69]

State vegetable: Sweet potato (1995)

State red berry: Strawberry (2001)

State blue berry: Blueberry (2001)

State fruit: Scuppernong grape (2001)

State wildflower: Carolina Lily (2003)

State Christmas tree: Fraser Fir (2005)

State carnivorous plant: Venus Flytrap (2005)

State folk dance: Clogging (2005)

State popular dance: Shag (2005)

State freshwater trout: Southern Appalachian Brook Trout (2005)

State birthplace of traditional pottery: the Seagrove area (2005)