History and natural history are richly intertwined among Alabama’s state symbols, focusing largely on the Civil War. More peaceful times are recalled by the state seal, which celebrates the state’s rivers, including the one that gave Alabama its name. But Alabama’s striking red and white flag is its most visible souvenir of the Civil War.
Alabama’s first state flower, goldenrod, was adopted because its colors were seen as symbolic of the Civil War. It was later replaced by the camellia. Alabamians favor the red camellia, which matches the state flag.
Alabama is the only state with a woodpecker for a state bird. The “yellowhammer” is linked to the civil war in legend as well as by its colors and is the source of the unofficial nickname Yellowhammer State. The nickname Cotton State recalls Alabama’s Civil War era agricultural roots.
Regional Symbols
Another unofficial nickname is Heart of Dixie...and Alabama makes good on its boast. A bit of regional pride might be detected in Alabama’s choice of state trees, the “southern pine.” Its state nut is a Southern nut; the pecan is also Texas’ state tree. The blackberry is a wild species that serves as the official fruit of both Alabama and Kentucky.
Alabama’s official freshwater fish, the largemouth bass, rivals the mockingbird as the most popular of symbols in the South. In contrast, the Alabama red-bellied turtle and Red Hills salamander are found only in Alabama. So is Alabama’s state shell, Johnstone’s junonia.
Much more abundant and widespread is Alabama’s official saltwater fish, the tarpon. As if to complement the state motto, We Dare Maintain Our Rights, Alabama designated the fighting tarpon.
The Southern passion for outdoor pursuits can be seen in Alabama’s official game bird (turkey), horse (Racking Horse), sport (Stockton Fall Horseshoe Tournament) and barbecue championship. Located in the Bible Belt, it isn’t surprising that Alabama would adopt a state Bible. The official language, English, also suggests the conservative attitudes that are associated with the South.
Earth Symbols
History and natural history are united again with Alabama’s mightiest symbol of the sea, Basilosaurus cetoides. But this prehistoric whale, Alabama’s state fossil, speaks of a history far older than the written word.
On second thought, Alabama’s state rock is even mightier and older than its prehistoric whale. For marble was forming in ancient seas long before mammals evolved.
As vast limestone continue hardening into marble, other rocks and minerals find places in people’s lives. Among the most valuable to Alabamians is hematite, or iron ore, Alabama’s official mineral. Alabama’s most beautiful earth symbol is its state gemstone, star blue quartz.
Alabama also boasts a state soil, a reminder that it could have no official wildflower (oak-leaf hydrangea) or berry (blackberry) without soil.
Insect Wars
As if to impress admirers with its natural beauty, Alabama adopted two official butterflies. The eastern tiger swallowtail is a popular symbol in the South. The monarch butterfly was once proposed for adoption as the United States’ national insect, recalling the time when Alabamians sought to have their first state flower enthroned as the national flower.
In fact, the closest thing to a national insect may be a monument erected in Enterprise, Alabama on December 11, 1919. It commemorates the boll weevil, a terrible pest of cotton, Alabama’s most important crop.
Ironically, the boll weevil ranks among the most valuable of Alabama’s symbols. As the insect ravished the state’s cotton crops, desperate farmers tried growing other crops. Lo and behold, they discovered that some crops brought them more money than cotton, with some farmers earning three times what they had made in the best cotton years!
Fighting the Good Fight
Alabama does not recognize an official hero or heroine. However, either civil rights activist Rosa Parks or Helen Keller could qualify for such an honor. Alabama’s official outdoor drama, The Miracle Worker, celebrates the life of Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan.
Helen Keller overcame severe disabilities to become a fiery member of the Socialist Party, only to battle the corrupt media that are with us even today. She is a reminder that there are always battles to be fought, both good and bad, and that only we can decide which side to choose.
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