List of Tennessee state symbols facts for kids

Location of the state of Tennessee in the United States of America

Tennessee state quarter

Tennessee, widely known as the "Volunteer State", possesses a rich collection of official state symbols. These emblems celebrate the history, wildlife, culture, and natural landscapes of the state.

Official symbols are formally selected by the Tennessee General Assembly, the state's legislative body. The very first official emblem was the state seal, authorized under the original state constitution in 1796 and first used in 1802. Over time, lawmakers added dozens of icons representing the state's plants, animals, minerals, music, and traditions.

Tennessee earned its famous nickname, "The Volunteer State," during the War of 1812. When Governor Willie Blount issued a call for soldiers, thousands of heroic Tennesseans willingly stepped forward to serve. Tennessee also has an official slogan, "Tennessee—America at Its Best," adopted in 1965, and a state motto, "Agriculture and Commerce," adopted in 1987.

Official State Emblems and Icons

The state of Tennessee has adopted a wide variety of symbols that highlight its heritage and geography.

Symbol	Description and History
Official Flag of Tennessee	State Flag Adopted in 1905, the state flag features three white stars inside a blue circle surrounded by a red field. The three stars represent the three distinct Grand Divisions: West, Middle, and East Tennessee. Designed by LeRoy Reeves of the Tennessee National Guard, the blue circle represents unity among all three regions.
Great Seal of Tennessee	State Seal The current seal, modernized in 1987 from an 1801 design, displays the Roman numeral "XVI" to signify Tennessee as the 16th state. It features a plow, a bundle of wheat, and a cotton plant representing agriculture, alongside a riverboat representing commerce.
State tree - tulip poplar	State Tree In 1947, lawmakers chose the tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) as the official tree. Early pioneers frequently used this tall, sturdy tree across the state to build cabins, barns, and essential farm structures.
State fruit - tomato	State Fruit In 2003, the tomato became the state fruit. Tennessee produces millions of pounds of fresh tomatoes every year, particularly in Grainger County and Lauderdale County.
State reptile - eastern box turtle	State Reptile The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) became the official state reptile in 1995. These gentle land turtles are famous for their high-domed shells and vibrant markings.
State amphibian - Tennessee cave salamander	State Amphibian The Tennessee cave salamander (Gyrinophilus palleucus) was designated in 1995. This unique amphibian lives in underground streams located within limestone caves across the southern Cumberland Plateau.
State horse - Tennessee Walking Horse	State Horse The Tennessee Walking Horse was named the official state horse in 2000. It is celebrated worldwide for its smooth four-beat running walk and calm temperament.
State wild animal - raccoon	State Wild Animal The raccoon (Procyon lotor) was designated as the state wild animal in 1971, recognized for its clever nature and distinctive black mask.
State rock - agate	State Gem and Mineral Rocks Tennessee recognizes two state rocks. The agate, a colorful form of chalcedony, was designated in 1969. Limestone, a common sedimentary rock used in construction and building, was chosen in 1979.

Flowers and Plant Life of Tennessee

Tennessee celebrates its diverse plant life with two distinct floral emblems: a wildflower and a cultivated flower.

State Wildflower: Passion Flower

State wildflower - passion flower

The purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is the official state wildflower.

In 1919, the General Assembly asked school children across the state to vote on a favorite flower. The children enthusiastically chose the passion flower.

The Cherokee called this flower ocoee, which is also the namesake of the Ocoee River. The plant produces delicate purple blossoms followed by small round edible fruits often called "maypops."

State Cultivated Flower: Iris

State cultivated flower - iris

By the 1930s, gardening clubs flourished across the state, and Nashville became known as the "Iris City."

In 1933, lawmakers designated the iris as the official state flower. Because the 1919 vote was never cancelled, Tennessee had two competing state flowers for four decades.

In 1973, the legislature solved this friendly dispute by designating the passion flower as the official wildflower and the iris as the official cultivated flower. The purple iris remains the most popular variety in state displays.

Wildlife and Native Animals of Tennessee

Tennessee features varied geography, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River, supporting a large array of animal species.

Official State Birds

State bird - mockingbird

Tennessee recognizes two bird symbols:

• State Bird: The mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was chosen in 1933 after a statewide selection by the Tennessee Ornithological Society. Mockingbirds can mimic over 200 different bird calls and natural sounds.
• State Game Bird: The bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), also known as the partridge, was designated in 1988 due to its importance in rural wildlife habitats.

Official State Fishes

State sport fish - smallmouth bass

State commercial fish - channel catfish

Tennessee is home to numerous rivers, streams, and lakes that support native fish:

• State Sport Fish: The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) was named the state sport fish in 2005. It lives in clear, cool rivers and is popular among sport fishers.
• State Commercial Fish: The channel catfish (Ictalurus lacustris) was designated in 1988. It thrives in lakes and large rivers and is widely raised on fish farms.

Official State Insects

State butterfly - zebra swallowtail

Tennessee has designated four distinct insects:

• State Agricultural Insect: The honeybee (Apis mellifera) was chosen in 1990 for its vital role in pollinating crops and producing honey.
• State Insects: The firefly (family Lampyridae) and the ladybeetle (Coccinella septempunctata) were both designated in 1975.
• State Butterfly: The zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) was adopted in 1995, recognizable by its distinct black-and-white striped wings.

Official State Books and Literature

In 2024, the Tennessee legislature chose ten books to honor the state's literary and historical heritage:

• Farewell Address to the American People by George Washington (1796)
• Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1835, 1840)
• Aitken Bible (1782)
• Papers of President Andrew Jackson
• Roots by Alex Haley (1977)
• A Death in the Family by James Agee (1958)
• All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren (1947)
• American Lion by Jon Meacham (2009)
• The Civil War: A Narrative by Shelby Foote (1958–1974)
• Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton (2016)

Music and State Songs

Tennessee has a celebrated musical heritage. Nashville is known worldwide as "Music City," and Memphis is famous for blues and rock and roll. In 2003, lawmakers designated songwriting as an official state art form.

Official State Songs List

Other Designated State Songs

Tennessee has also recognized several other songs through legislative resolutions:

• "Tennessee" by Vivian Rorie (1992)
• "A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1796-1996" by Joan Hill Hanks (1996), written to help students learn state history
• "Smoky Mountain Rain" by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan (2010), popularized by Ronnie Milsap
• "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee (2024), named the official Holiday Song

Other Official Cultural Symbols

Tennessee lawmakers have recognized various other historical and cultural items:

• State Poem: "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee," written by U.S. Navy Admiral William P. Lawrence while held in a prisoner of war camp during the Vietnam War, was adopted in 1973.
• State Folk Dance: The square dance was designated in 1980 as a traditional dance central to Appalachian folklore.
• State Fossil: Pterotrigonia thoracica, an extinct Cretaceous bivalve clam, was adopted in 1998.
• State Artifact: "Sandy", an ancient siltstone statue created between 1250 and 1350 AD by the Mississippian culture, was found at the Sellars Farm site and named the state artifact in 2014.
• State Rifle: The Barrett M82/M107, designed and manufactured in Tennessee, was adopted in 2016.
• State Food: Hot slaw was designated as an official state food in 2024.

See also

• Lists of United States state symbols
• Tennessine - an element named after the state

Images for kids

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  Limestone outcrop in Tennessee