Ready Reference Files
This information was verified August 2000. The most up-to-date
information on current official emblems can be found in the
California Government Code.
Great Seal
State Animal
- California Grizzly Bear (Ursus californicus) (Blue
Book. p. 21)
- Adopted in 1953 (Gov. sec. 425)
- This bear was hunted to extinction in California, the last
reported killing in 1922. (Hart. p. 39)
- It is this bear that was pictured on the Bear Flag used in
the Bear Flag Revolt and that is pictured on the State Seal and
the State flag. (Hart. p. 40)
State Bird
- California Valley Quail (Lophortyx californica) (Blue
Book. p. 24)
- Designated 1931 (Gov. sec. 424.5)
- The quail won over twenty-four other birds nominated by the
California Audubon Society (Shearer. p. 172)
State Colors
- Blue and gold (Blue Book. p. 25)
- Adopted in 1951 (Gov. sec. 424)
- Ribbons in these colors are sometimes used with the State
Seal by the Secretary of State. They are also the colors of the
University of California. (Blue Book. p 25)
State Dances
- Dance: West Coast Swing Dance (Gov. sec. 421.5)
"West Coast Swing Dancing, also known as Swing, Whip, or
Jitterbug, came into being in the early 1930's in response to
new musical forms then sweeping the land...Devotees of this art
come from every conceivable ethnic, religious, racial, and
econimic backround. Age is no factor...West Coast Swing is an
American dance which is danced to American music. It originated
in California and is danced in competition nationally and
internationally." (Section 1 of Stats.1988, c.1645.)
- Folk Dance: Square Dance (Gov. sec. 421.5)
- Both designated in 1988 (Gov. sec. 421.5)
State Fish [?]
State Flag
State Flower
- The Golden Poppy (Eschsholtzia californica) (Blue
Book. p. 22)
- Designated in 1903. (Gov. sec 421).
- Since 1973, April 6 of each year is designated California
Poppy Day. (Gov. sec.421) (Shearer. p. 130)
State Fossil
- Sabre-Tooth Tiger (Smilodon californicus) (Blue Book.
p. 25)
- Remains of this meat-eating predator have been found at the
La Brea tar pits. (Blue Book. p. 25)
- Designated 1973 (Gov. sec. 425.7)
State Gemstone
- Benitoite (Gov. sec. 425.3)
- Designated 1985 (Gov. sec. 425.3)
State Insect
- California Dog-face Butterfly (Zerene eurydice) (Blue
Book p. 25)
- Found only in California (Blue Book. p. 25)
- Sometimes called Flying Pansy (Blue Book. p. 25)
- Designated 1972 (Gov. sec. 424.5)
State Marine Mammal
- California Gray Whale (Eschrischtius robustus) (Blue
Book. p. 25)
- Designated in 1975 (Gov. sec. 425.5)
- Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) (Gov. sec.
425.6)
- Designated in 1995 (Gov. sec. 425.6)
State Mineral
- Gold (Blue Book. p. 25)
- Designated in 1965 (Gov. sec. 425.1)
State Motto
- "Eureka", which is Greek for "I have found
it." (Blue Book. p. 25)
- Designated in 1963, (Gov. sec. 420.5)
- This motto had been used earlier. It appears on the Great
Seal of California, designed in 1849. It refers to the discovery
of gold in California. (Shearer. p. 25)
State Nickname
- The "Golden State" (Gov. sec. 420.75)
- Named for both the discovery of gold and for the fields of
golden poppies (Blue Book. p.25)
- Adopted 1968 (Gov. sec. 420.75)
State Prehistoric Artifact
- Chipped Stone Bear (Gov. sec. 425.8)
- Designated 1991 (Gov. sec. 425.8)
State Reptile
- Desert Tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) (Blue Book.
p.25)
- Designated in 1972 (Gov. sec. 422.5 )
State Rock
- Serpentine (Blue Book. p.25)
- Designated in 1965 (Gov. sec. 425.2 )
State Soil
- San Joaquin Soil (Gov. sec. 425.9)
- Designated in 1997 (Gov. sec. 425.9)
"...San Joaquin Soil is approximately 50,000 to 250,000
years old and was derived from and deposited by the runoff of
swollen streams during the glacial period, from mountain glaciers
in the Sierra Nevada." (Gov. sec 425.9 (a) )
State Song
State Tree
- Two species of California Redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens,
Sequoia gigantea)(Shearer. p. 147)
- Designated in 1937 (Gov. Sec. 422)
Sources:
- California Blue Book, 1975 [California Office of
State Printing, 1974.]
- California Government Code. secs.420 --
429.8
- Hart, James D. A Companion to California.
Berkeley, CA. University of California Pr. 1987.
- Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. Shearer. State
Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols. Westport, Ct. Greenwood
Press, 1994.
Verified by: RAP 8/00
Disclaimer:
While the Library has verified the information presented in these files in what it considers to be reliable and authoritative sources, it cannot take responsibility for nor guarantee the accuracy of the information presented.