Source: https://www.okhistory.org/kids/symbols
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 15:03:47+00:00

Document:
The state flag features an Osage warrior’s shield on a blue background. An olive branch and a calumet, or peace pipe, lay across the shield. Seven eagle feathers decorate the shield. The flag was designed by Louise Funk Fluke and was officially adopted in 1925. In 1941 the word “Oklahoma” was added beneath the shield and a 1988 resolution defined colors for the background, shield, feathers, crosses, thongs, and calumet (HCR 1110, 1988). The colors were officially added to the statutes in 2006 (25 OS § 91). Find out more about Louise Funk Fluke in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
The state seal was designed by Gabe E. Parker and its elements are described in the Oklahoma Constitution. The seal is circular and features a five-pointed star in the center. Within the star is the basic design of the seal of the Territory of Oklahoma and with the words Labor Omnia Vincit, which means “work conquers all things.” Columbia, a symbol of justice and statehood, stands holding the scales of justice. In front of her, a pioneer farmer and an American Indian stand clasping hands.
Inside the rays of the star are emblems of the Five Tribes. The ray pointing directly upward contains a symbol of the Chickasaw Nation: an Indian warrior holding a bow. The upper-right ray features symbols of the Choctaw Nation: a tomahawk, bow, and three crossed arrows. The lower-right ray features symbols of the Seminole Nation: a village with houses and a factory next to a lake on which a man paddles a canoe. The lower-left ray contains symbols of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation: a sheaf of wheat and a plow. The upper-left ray features symbols of the Cherokee Nation: a seven-pointed star surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.
In the background of the seal, surrounding the main star, are forty-five smaller stars, representing the forty-five states in the Union when Oklahoma became the forty-sixth state. The words “GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1907” appear in a circular band around the seal (Okla. Const. art. 6 § 35).
The American buffalo was adopted as the state animal in 1972. The resolution states, “the magnificent animal was native to both the grasslands and woodlands of what is now Oklahoma and was significant in the cultures and ceremonies of many of the Indian tribes who lived in Oklahoma and have passed along their heritage to modern-day Oklahomans” (SCR101, 1972). Buffalo are large mammals with a brown coat, a hump on their shoulders, and shaggy hair around their heads. Buffalo can reach up to 2,000 pounds and stand almost six feet tall. Find out more in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
Raccoons are known for their distinctive markings. Raccoons have ringed tails, and dark fur around their eyes, which resembles a mask. The raccoon was named the state furbearer in 1989 (SCR25, 1989).
The white-tailed deer has a brown coat in the summer, which turns gray throughout the rest of the year. Males grow large antlers and can weigh more than 200 pounds. The resolution called the white-tailed deer “the most beautiful and prized symbol of Oklahoma wildlife” (SCR24, 1989). You can learn more about deer in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
The scissor-tailed flycatcher was named the state bird in 1951 (25 OS § 98). The bird has a mostly gray body with a white breast and a distinctive forked tail, which can grow up to nine inches long. Find out more about the scissor-tailed flycatcher in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
A raptor is a bird of prey, which means it feeds on other animals. It is also one of the most common bird species in Oklahoma. The idea to recognize the red-tailed hawk came from ten-year-old Ephraim Bowling from Oklahoma City. The red-tailed hawk became the official state raptor in 2018 (25 OS § 98.17).
In 2006 the wild turkey was named the official game bird (25 OS § 98.13). Wild turkeys are large birds, and the brightly colored males can weigh more than twenty pounds.
Mexican free-tailed bats typically make their home in caves and can be found in Oklahoma’s Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area. These bats are dark brown with long, narrow wings. They are called “free-tailed” because the end of their tail extends past the membrane that connects their wings and tail. The Mexican free-tailed bat was named the state’s flying mammal in 2006 (25 OS § 98.11).
The collared lizard, also known as the mountain boomer, can grow up to a foot long. The name “collared” comes from the dark bands around the lizard’s neck. Males are brightly colored while females are gray or tan. The 1969 resolution calls the collard lizard “one of the most interesting zoological specimens in Oklahoma” (HCR1009, 1969).
The bullfrog was declared as the state amphibian in 1997. The resolution proclaimed the bullfrog “an integral part of the ecology of Oklahoma and generally represents the importance of all species of amphibians to the environment and our state” (HCR1026, 1997).
The white bass, also known as the sand bass, was adopted as the state fish in 1974 (25 OS § 98.2). According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, white bass are native to the state and survive on a diet of minnows, shad, crustaceans, and insects.
This black swallowtail butterfly is mostly black, with a row of colored spots. Males have yellow markings, while females have yellow and blue accents. The butterfly was adopted in 1996 in a bill that states, “the black swallowtail plays a vital role in the cross-pollination of plant life in Oklahoma, which is a necessary link in the chain which supports our ecology. In addition, the presence of the black swallowtail in Oklahoma not only adds color and beauty to our state but provides enjoyment for our citizens and an opportunity to study and understand the contributions this insect makes to our environment.” (23 OS § 98.5).
In 1992 the honeybee became the state insect. The resolution described the importance of the insect stating, “the honeybee is critical to crop pollination and plays a vital role in our varied and plentiful food supply” (SCR75, 1992).
Oklahoma recognized the strawberry in 2005 when fifth-grade students from Skiatook Intermediate Elementary held an election to choose a state fruit. The winner was the strawberry and their teacher, Pam Bell, asked Representative Joe Sweeden to sponsor the bill. The bill passed, naming the strawberry the official state fruit (25 OS § 98.10).
Watermelon was adopted as the state vegetable in 2007 (25 OS § 98.15). According to a 2007 fiscal impact statement, Oklahoma produced more than 77 million pounds of watermelon the previous year.
Mistletoe is Oklahoma’s oldest symbol, chosen as Oklahoma Territory’s floral emblem in 1893 (25 OS § 92A). Learn more about mistletoe in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
The Oklahoma rose is a hybrid tea rose created by Herbert Swim and O. L. Weeks in 1964. Oklahoman Dottie Weissenberger lobbied for more than thirty years to have the Oklahoma rose named as our official state flower. It was finally adopted in 2004 (25 OS § 92).
The Indian blanket, also known as the blanket flower, is a small, daisy-shaped flower with red petals tipped with yellow. It was named the state wildflower in 1986 (25 OS § 92.1). Learn more about the Indian blanket in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
The redbud is a colorful tree that typically grows twenty to thirty feet tall. The tree is known for its small, dark pink flowers (25 OS § 97, 1937, later moved to 2 OS § 16-69, 2001).
Learn more about the redbud tree in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
Indian grass grows in every county in Oklahoma. This perennial has green blades and golden brown seed heads, and grows three to five feet tall. The 1972 resolution declared Indian grass “has been in the past, and remains today, one of the most productive, palatable and important native grasses in Oklahoma” (SCR72, 1972).
In 1987 Oklahoma recognized port silt loam as the official state soil. The resolution calls it “a highly productive soil which can support a wide variety of crops as well as range, pasture, woodlands and native wildlife” which “occurs in more counties in Oklahoma than any other soil type” (HJR1014, 1987).
The rose rock is composed of barite, a common mineral, and sand. Rose rocks, with their red coloring and petal-like shape, are found in only a few locations around the world. In 1968 the rose rock was named the official state rock (25 OS § 98.1). Learn more about rose rocks in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
Acrocanthosaurus atokensis was named the state dinosaur in 2006. Acrocanthosaurus means “high-spined lizard,” and partial skeletons of this dinosaur were excavated in Atoka County, Oklahoma (25 OS § 98.14).
Saurophaganax maximus was named the state fossil in 2000. It was a huge, predatory dinosaur that was larger than the Tyrannosaurus rex. The bill states that “this spectacular dinosaur, the ‘greatest king of reptile eaters,’ once roamed this great land” (25 OS § 98.6).
In 2005 hourglass selenite was named the state crystal (25 OS § 98.8). Selenite is a crystallized form of gypsum that can be found in Oklahoma’s Great Salt Plains. The idea to declare hourglass selenite a state symbol was proposed by students from Bryant and Red Oak elementary schools located in Moore, Oklahoma.
In 2005 GUSTY was named the state cartoon character (25 OS § 98.9). GUSTY was created by meteorologist Don Woods, who would draw the character during his televised weather reports.
The Golden Driller stands in front of the Tulsa Expo Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Permanently installed 1966, the monument is seventy-six feet tall and weighs more than 43,500 pounds. A plaque at the base of the driller reads, “The Golden Driller, a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition. Dedicated to the men of the petroleum industry who by their vision and daring have created from God’s abundance a better life for mankind.” It was named the state monument in 1979 (SCR23, 1979).
The Oklahoma Legislature designated the “OK” pin the official state pin in 1982. The resolution states the pin “shall consist of the letters ‘OK’ with a sky blue replica of the State of Oklahoma imposed over the letters. Inside the replica of the State of Oklahoma shall be a circular rawhide American Indian shield, with the lower half of the shield fringed with pendant eagle feathers, and superimposed on the face of the shield a calumet or peace pipe, crossed at right angles by an olive branch” (SCR36, 1982).
The Oklahoma Legislature declared April 19, 1988, to be Oklahoma Meal Day, and outlined the elements of the meal (HCR 1083, 1988). Find out more about the state meal in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
Labor Omnia Vincit, Latin for “work conquers all things.” The phrase was referred to as a motto in the 1893 statute describing the Grand Seal of the Territory of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Constitution also includes the phrase in the description of the state seal but does not officially define it as a motto (1893 § 5991; Okla. Const. 6 § 35).
In 1968 the legislature designated November 16 official Oklahoma State Flag Day and recommended “that said day be observed by the people of this state by the display of the official flag of the State of Oklahoma and in such other ways as will be in harmony with the general character of the day” (25 OS § 91.3).
Green and white were adopted as the state colors in 1915. The colors were suggested by the Ohoyohoma Circle, a group formed by the wives of Oklahoma legislators (25 OS § 93).
The background color of the tartan is blue. Lines of red, white, black, and gold form the plaid. The Oklahoma tartan was designed by Jerrel Murray and adopted by the legislature in 1999 (HCR1025, 1999).
But I reckon I’m always a-thinkin’ ’bout you.
And I see where you messed up my last birthday.
And heard some tributes by a mighty swell nation.
But that’s just like the Sooners, it gives them a thrill.
And sometimes, folks, I could almost cuss.
That chokes me all up and hurts me inside.
And Amon and Eddie, what nice things they said.
With guys like Mort Harrison and others around.
Remember him, Wiley? We slept all the way.
And it ain’t like me to speak up and boast.
For my act in bronze -- what a homely thing!
‘Cause my kids kind of cried and I saw Betty’s face.
and though none of you heard me, she knew what I said.
She’s all the West means, charm and romance.
Why, I got more wrinkles than a Navajo rug.
Move over Sequoyah, for another Cherokee.
And the words that were spoken by our President.
We’d be happy up here if war talk would cease.
Such a hullabaloo ’bout a cowboy like me.
I got to keep a date with Odd McIntyre.
In 1984 a resolution designated the fiddle as the official state instrument, hailing it as “a symbol of the exceptional musical heritage of this state and enjoyed by its citizens” (SCR25, 1984). Read more about fiddling in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
The 1988 resolution stated, “to show our appreciation for the colorful and exciting entertainment Oklahoma square dancers provide for all Oklahomans we proudly proclaim the Square Dance as Oklahoma's Official State Folk Dance” (SCR111, 1988).
“Oklahoma!” lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Richard Rodgers (25 OS § 94.1) Read more about the musical and our state song in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
Brand new state, Brand new state, gonna treat you great!
Pasture fer the cattle, Spinach and Termayters!
Plen’y of room to swing a rope!
Plen’y of heart and plen’y of hope!
And when we say - Yeeow A-yip-i-o-ee ay!
We’re only sayin’ You’re doin’ fine, Oklahoma! Oklahoma - O.K.
As I travel the roads of America, such wonderful sights I can see.
The perfect home for you and for me.
Yes, Oklahoma, my native land.
I am proud to say your future’s looking grand.
Ev’ry day you give a gift just for me.
as mistletoe kisses the branches ev’rywhere.
Redbuds open ev’ry single spring.
as oil wells pump back mem’ries of the boom days.
Only Oklahoma has these things.
The perfect home for me.
It’s only Oklahoma for me.
“Faded Love” by John Wills and Bob Wills (SCR65, 1988) Learn more about Bob Wills in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
It’s you that I am thinking of.
I remember our faded love.
As heaven would miss the stars above.
And remember our faded love.
It was in the springtime when you said goodbye.
“Oklahoma Hills” by Woody Guthrie and Jack Guthrie (25 OS § 94.8) Read about Woody Guthrie in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” by Wallace Willis (25 OS § 94.11) Find out more about Uncle Wallace and Aunt Minerva Willis in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
by you and I in the wind.
The wind kept blowing and moved us with haste.
Lord what a waste in the wind.
to the land that was callin’ and growin’ up strong in the wind.
to give us a place in the wind.
’cept the will of a few that made her survive in the wind.
And now she’s blowin across the plain.
O’er the hills of golden grain, ev’rybody knows she’s alive again in the wind.
they were gathered on the line.
to stake a claim out on the plain.
To Run! Run! Run! Run!
Fifty thousand people a waitin’ for the gun!
For Land! Land! Land! Land!
They came out here to the last Frontier across the Cimeron (sic) to run!
A man’s luck soon ran down.
and at noon they crossed the line.
to what they hope to find.

References: § 91
 art. 6
 § 35
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 92
 § 92
 § 92
 § 97
 § 16
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 98
 § 5991
 § 35
 § 91
 § 93
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94