Introduction to
Michigan Symbols

Michigan boasts a fairly complete yet conservative list of state symbols. Few of its symbols are unique, but it’s hard for any state in the Midwest to choose symbolic species that are both representative and unique.

Michigan is also notable for a striking absence of “miscellaneous symbols,” such as an official tartan, food, beverage, poet, hero, etc.$Redundants

Nicknames, Mottoes & Song

The nickname Auto State is a bit depressing for a state located in the Rust Belt, especially with America’s economy going south (and every other direction). More inspirational are the nicknames Lake State and Lady of the Lake.

But Michigan is best known as the Wolverine State, a curious nickname for a state where wolverines were never abundant. Indeed, some authorities have argued whether Michigan ever boasted any wolverines at all. Perhaps residents simply embraced the wolverine because it’s so cool. Michigan is the easternmost of four neighboring states nicknamed for mammals.

Amazingly, the Latin motto, Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice, is even longer when translated into English: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.”

The state song, My Michigan, probably means little to people who live outside Michigan.

Plants

Michigan/Introduction is one of twelve states (Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee) with two or more official flowers. The original state flower is the sweet crabapple blossom. (Arkansas is also represented by an apple blossom.)

In 1998, the dwarf lake iris was designated Michigan’s official wildflower.

Michigan shares its state tree, the eastern white pine, with Maine and Ontario. Maine is nicknamed the Pine Tree State, but Michigan is home to the legendary Paul Bunyan.

Animals

Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin all call the robin—perhaps North America’s most popular bird—their official bird. In addition, the rare Kirtland’s warbler was designated Michigan’s official Bicentennial Bird.

Michigan/Introduction is one of thirteen states (along with Saskatchewan and the nation of Honduras) that have adopted the white-tailed deer as an official symbol. Michigan calls the whitetail its official game mammal.

Michigan shares its official reptile, the painted turtle, with Illinois.

The brook trout is the most popular state fish in the northeastern United States, representing Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

Michigan/Introduction is one of eight states (Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island and Wyoming) with no official insect.

Earth Symbols

Michigan’s geological symbols are among its most distinctive. Alaska, Washington and Nebraska are represented by mammoths, but only Michigan adopted the mastodon as state fossil.

The Petoskey stone (designated the official stone) is a fossilized coral. (Fossilized corals have also been adopted by West Virginia and Florida.) The official gem is the Isle Royal greenstone.

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