TheCommonwealth of Kentucky has 29 official state emblems, as well as other designated places and events. The majority are determined by acts of theKentucky General Assembly and recorded in Title I, Chapter 2 of theKentucky Revised Statutes.[1] The state's nickname – "The Bluegrass State" – is traditional, but has never been passed into law by the General Assembly. It does, however, appear on the state'slicense plates. Despite the nickname's popularity, the General Assembly has not designatedbluegrass (or any other grass) as the official state grass.
The first symbol was the Seal of Kentucky, which was made official in 1792. The original seal also contained the future state motto. It served as the state's only emblem for over 130 years until the adoption of the state bird in 1926. Enacted by law in 2010, the newest symbols of Kentucky are the state insect, thehoney bee, and the state sports car, theChevrolet Corvette.
| Type | Symbol | Description | Year | Image | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flag | TheFlag of Kentucky | Kentucky's flag has a navy blue background with theSeal of Kentucky in the middle. | 1928 |  | [2][3] |
| Latin motto | Deo gratiam habeamus | "Let us be grateful to God" | 2002 | — | [4] |
| Motto | United we stand, divided we fall | 1942 | — | [4] | |
| Nickname | The Bluegrass State | Thebluegrass that grows in the state's pasture land | Traditional | — | [5] |
| Seal | TheSeal of Kentucky | Kentucky's seal depicts two men embracing, the state motto and two sprigs ofgoldenrod. | 1792 |  | [6][7] |
| Slogan | Kentucky Unbridled Spirit | The slogan alludes to Kentucky's reputation inhorse racing and horse farms, as well as its production of whiskey | 2004 | — | [8] |
| Type | Symbol | Description | Year | Image | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bird | Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis | The male cardinal is bright red and the female is brown and dull red. They live in Kentucky year-round. | 1926 |  | [9] |
| Butterfly | Viceroy butterfly Limenitis archippus | Viceroys are aMüllerian mimic to themonarchs which birds avoid eating because they are toxic and distasteful. The butterfly is usually found all over the state, except in mountainous areas, from April until November.[10] | 1990 |  | [11] |
| Fish | Kentucky spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus | Similar to thelargemouth bass, a common sporting fish that usually weighs up to 5 pounds (2.3 kg). | 2005 |  | [12] |
| Flower | Goldenrod Solidago gigantea | The goldenrod has a yellow flower that blooms in late summer and early fall. It is also the state flower ofNebraska. | 2023 |  | [13] |
| Fruit | Blackberry Rubus allegheniensis | This soft fruit is used to make jams, seedless jellies and wine. | 2004 |  | [14] |
| Horse | Thoroughbred Equus caballus | A horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Over 30% of all U.S. thoroughbred births happen in Kentucky, more than any other state[15] | 1996 |  | [16] |
| Insect | Honey bee Apis mellifera | Official state insect in 17 states | 2010 |  | [17] |
| Tree | Tulip poplar Liriodendron tulipifera | The tulip tree is also called the yellow poplar. It has a distinctive leaf shape and yellow, bell-shaped flowers. | 1994 |  | [18] |
| Wild animal game species | Eastern gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis | Predominantly gray fur but it can have a reddish, black or white color. It has a white underside and a large bushy tail. | 1968 |  | [19] |
| Type | Symbol | Description | Year | Image | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fossil | Brachiopod | Brachiopods are the most collected fossil in Kentucky. They resemble clams, but their top and bottom shell are not identical, and they don't burrow into the sand.[20] | 1986 |  | [21] |
| Gemstone | Freshwater pearl | The pearl is formed in several species of freshwater mussels. Originally found all over Kentucky, increased pollution, over-harvesting and damming of rivers have severely depleted the population of freshwater mussels.[22] | 1986 |  | [23] |
| Mineral | Coal | Kentucky is the third leading state in coal production.[24] | 1998 |  | [25] |
| Rock | Kentucky agate | Agate, a form of quartz, has varying shades of color arranged in layers of red, black, yellow, and gray. | 2000 | _12_(32756317525).jpg) | [26] |
| Soil | Crider Soil Series | The Crider soils make up about 500,000 acres (2,000 km2) in Kentucky. Most areas are used for crops or pasture for corn, small grain, soybeans, tobacco, and hay. | 1990 |  | [27] |
| Type | Symbol | Description | Year | Image | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage | Milk | 2005 |  | [28] | |
| Soft Drink | Ale-8-One | Kentucky House Bill 205 of the 2013 Regular Session signed by Governor (Acts Chapter 85) designated this regional, and historical citrus soda as a state symbol, the official soft drink of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. | 2013 | [29] | |
| Bluegrass song | "Blue Moon of Kentucky" byBill Monroe | Kentucky native Bill Monroe wrote this song in 1947 and performed it soon thereafter.Elvis Presley sang the song when he auditioned for theGrand Ole Opry and later recorded it for his first single forSun Records. | 1988 | [30] | |
| Dance | Clogging | Clogging in the southern U.S. has its roots from early settlers. English clogging, Irishjigs, African-Americanbuck dance andCherokee dance.[31] | 2006 |  | [32] |
| Gun | TheKentucky Long Rifle | 2013 |  | [33] | |
| Language | English | Over 95% of the state's residents are able to speak English.[34] | 1984 | — | [35] |
| Music | Bluegrass music |
— Don Harrison,[36] | 2007 |  | [37] |
| Musical instrument | Appalachian dulcimer | A stringed instrument that appeared in the south in the early 19th century | 2001 |  | [38] |
| Silverware pattern | Old Kentucky Blue Grass-The Georgetown Pattern | 1996 | — | [39] | |
| Song | "My Old Kentucky Home" | The song describes life on a Kentucky plantation. | 1928 |  | [40] |
| Sports car | Chevrolet Corvette | Since 1981, the Chevrolet Corvette has beenmanufactured inBowling Green. | 2010 |  | [41] |
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