# List of Virginia state symbols

This is a list of symbols of the United States Commonwealth of Virginia. Most of the items in the list are officially recognized symbols created by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by the governor. The state nickname, The Old Dominion, is the oldest symbol. However, it is the only symbol that is not official. The other nickname, "Mother of Presidents", is also historic, as eight Virginians have served as President of the United States, including four of the first five: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson. Additionally, Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas, Fulwar Skipwith, the president of the Republic of West Florida, and Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the first president of Liberia were from Virginia.
The state motto and seal have been official since Virginia declared its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Virginia is one of only two states (the other being Mississippi with the Magnolia) to have the same plant for state flower and state tree, the Flowering Dogwood. Most of the symbols were made official in the late 20th century.

## Insignia

Overview of insignias of Virginia :
| Type | Symbol | Year |
| Flag | State seal on a blue background. Defined as: The flag of the Commonwealth shall hereafter be made of bunting or merino. It shall be a deep blue field, with a circular white centre of the same material. Upon this circle shall be painted or embroidered, to show on both sides alike, the coat of arms of the Commonwealth, as described in § 7.1-26 for the obverse of the great seal of the Commonwealth; and there shall be a white silk fringe on the outer edge, furthest from the flagstaff. This shall be known and respected as the flag of Virginia. (Code 1950, § 7-32; 1966, c. 102.) | 1950 |
| Motto | Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants) | 1776 |
| Nickname | Old Dominion, Mother of States, Mother of Presidents | n/a |
| Seal | The Seal of Virginia. Defined as: The great seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall consist of two metallic discs, two and one-fourth inches in diameter, with an ornamental border one fourth of an inch wide, with such words and figures engraved thereon as will, when used, produce impressions to be described as follows: On the obverse, Virtus, the genius of the Commonwealth, dressed as an Amazon, resting on a spear in her right hand, point downward, touching the earth; and holding in her left hand, a sheathed sword, or parazonium, pointing upward; her head erect and face upturned; her left foot on the form of Tyranny represented by the prostrate body of a man, with his head to her left, his fallen crown nearby, a broken chain in his left hand, and a scourge in his right. Above the group and within the border conforming therewith, shall be the word "Virginia", and, in the space below, on a curved line, shall be the motto, "Sic Semper Tyrannis." On the reverse, shall be placed a group consisting of Libertas, holding a wand and pileus in her right hand; on her right, Aeternitas, with a globe and phoenix in her right hand; on the left of Libertas, Ceres, with a cornucopia in her left hand, and an ear of wheat in her right; over this device, in a curved line, the word "Perseverando." (Code 1950, § 7-26; 1966, c. 102.) | 1950 (original adopted in 1776) |
| Slogan | Virginia Is for Lovers | 1969 |
| License plate | The plate has a completely white background. Virginia is written in red at the top. "400th Anniversary" is written at the bottom with a picture of a ship separating the words. 1607 is written on the left and 2007 is written on the right. | 2013 |

## Plants

Overview of plant symbols of Virginia :
| Type | Symbol | Year | Image |
| Flower | American Dogwood (Cornus florida) | 1918 | |
| Tree | American Dogwood (Cornus florida) | 1956 | |

## Animals

Overview of animal symbols of Virginia :
| Type | Symbol | Year |
| Bat | Virginia Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinos townsendii virginianus) | 2005 |
| Bird | Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | 1950 |
| Dog | American Foxhound (Canis lupus familiaris) | 1966 |
| Fresh Water Fish | Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) | 1993 |
| Insect | Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio glaucus) | 1991 |
| Pony | Chincoteague Pony (Equus caballus) | 2023 |
| Pollinator | European honey bee (Apis mellifera) | 2024 |
| Salamander | Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber) | 2018 |
| Salt Water Fish | Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) | 2011 |
| Shell | Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) | 1974 |
| Snake | Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) | 2016 |

## Geology

Overview of geologic symbols of Virginia :
| Type | Symbol | Year | Image |
| Fossil | Chesapecten jeffersonius | 1993 | |
| Rock | Nelsonite | 2016 | |

## Culture

Overview of cultural symbols of Virginia :
| Type | Symbol | Year |
| Boat | Chesapeake Bay deadrise | 1988 |
| Drink | Milk George Washington's Rye Whiskey (state spirit) | 1982 2017 |
| Folk dance | Square dance | 1991 |
| Maple Festival | Highland County Maple Festival | 2014 |
| Steam locomotive | Norfolk and Western 611 | 2017 |
| Song | "Our Great Virginia" (traditional) "Sweet Virginia Breeze" (popular) "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" (emeritus) | 2015 |
| Tartan | "Virginia Quadricentennial" | 2007 |