Arizona’s state symbols are as distinctive as the state itself. It boasts an official flower, tree, bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish and insect. Yet none of them are shared with another state, and only one—the saguaro cactus—is widely familiar to people outside Arizona.
Arizona/Introduction is one of the seven states (Arizona, Hawaii, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio and West Virginia) that have adopted none of the four most redundant symbols—the honeybee, square dance, milk and English (usually designated the official insect, dance, beverage or drink and language).
The saguaro, palo verde, cactus wren and ringtail (an animal that resembles a skinny raccoon) represent the deserts for which Arizona is so famous. The ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Arizona tree frog, Arizona trout and two-tailed swallowtail butterfly are a reminder that Arizona is a very diverse state, with forested mountains watered by clear, cool streams.
Cultural Symbols
Arizona has a striking—and somewhat refreshing—paucity of cultural or miscellaneous symbols compared to many states. In fact, they’re pretty much limited to the bola tie, designated the official neckwear. (No other state recognizes an official tie or neckwear.)
Earth Symbols
Arizona may be the only state whose official fossil is better known that its state flower, tree, and bird. Petrified wood is found across the continent and around the world. But Arizona petrified wood is a local treasure derived from a particular species, Araucarioxylon arizonicum.
Arizona shares its official gemstone only with its neighbors, Nevada and New Mexico. Thus, turquoise represents the Southwest the way the mockingbird and western meadowlark represent the South and Great Plains, respectively.
But Arizona’s most important symbol may be the fabled canyon that inspired the nickname Grand Canyon State. Arizona is also nicknamed The Copper State, and it boasts the only state flag that features the color copper.
The Grand Flag
Still, the Grand Canyon represents just one corner of Arizona. The state motto is a rather mundane God Enriches.
The symbol that best represents the entire state is Arizona’s flag, which rivals that of neighboring New Mexico in its elegant beauty. Though not depicted, one can easily imagine saguaro cacti shimmering in the rays of a setting sun piercing a cool, blue, cloudless sky, filled only with a copper star.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - Paperback
