Minnesota’s state symbols complement its image as a clean, wholesome place to live, a semi-wilderness retreat similar to Washington State but not so weird.
Perhaps no other state in the Midwest is represented by such unique symbols, from the common loon (shared only with Ontario) to the official grain, wild rice. Minnesota’s symbols primarily represent its forests and the waters that inspired the nickname Land of 10,000 Lakes. The state’s more southern farm country is best represented by some of its nicknames.
Like most states, Minnesota boasts a lousy state flag. A particularly elegant flag has been designed for Minnesota, but citizens have so far shown little interest in adopting it.
Nicknames, Mottoes & Song
Minnesota’s colorful nicknames include Land of 10,000 Lakes and North Start State. The latter complements the state motto, L’Etoile du Nord, which translates “Star of the North.”
The state’s agricultural bounty doubtless inspired the nickname Bread and Butter State. Minnesota is one of four neighboring states nicknamed for mammals. However, the nickname Gopher State was actually inspired by the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, not true gophers.
Minnesota’s state song is Hail! Minnesota!.
Plants
Minnesota and Oklahoma were the first states to adopt official flowers, though Minnesotans modified their designation. Today, Minnesota is represented by the pink and white lady slipper. New Hampshire and Prince Edward Island have adopted other species of lady slippers.
Only Minnesota calls the red, or Norway, pine its state tree.
Minnesota also has an official grain (wild rice), berry (blueberry) and mushroom (morel). The only other state with an official grain is Wisconsin, while Oregon also has an official mushroom.Minnesota/Introduction’s blueberry represents four states (Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey and North Carolina), along with the province of Nova Scotia.
Animals
The common loon is one of Minnesota’s most beloved symbols. It is to Minnesota what the sunflower is to Kansas. The loon nicely complements the nicknames Land of 10,000 Lakes and North Star State. It also advertises the peace and solitude that make Minnesota a nice place to live.
Minnesota/Introduction is one of five states (Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Rhode Island) with no official mammal, wild or domestic. There have been a number of attempts to adopt a state mammal, or animal. However, fans of the wolf and white-tailed deer usually battle each other to a draw. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel has also been a contender.
Minnesota, South Dakota and Vermont all call the walleye their state fish.
One of the most popular insects, the monarch butterfly is an adopted symbol of Alabama, Idaho, Minnesota, Texas, Vermont and West Virginia.
Earth Symbols
Minnesotans have fought at least one spirited battle over a state symbol, with students backing a prehistoric giant beaver. But nothing was adopted, leaving the state with just one geological symbol.Minnesota/Introduction is one of ten states and provinces (Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee and Nova Scotia) that have adopted agates as official symbols. Minnesotans designated the Lake Superior agate their official gemstone.
Miscellaneous Symbols
Minnesota’s most redundant symbol is milk, designated the official beverage. One of its more unusual symbols is Grace, adopted as the official state photograph.
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