Minnesota State SymbolsMinnesota state symbols depict the beauty and quality of life in our state. Each of these symbols of Minnesota represents a facet of our culture and our abundant natural resources.
Minnesota State Bird: The LoonMinnesota State Fish: The Walleye State Flag: The Minnesota State Flag Minnesota State Tree: The Norway or Red Pine Minnesota State Flower: The Showy Lady's Slipper Minnesota State Butterfly: The Monarch Minnesota State Gemstone: Lake Superior Agates Minnesota State Grain: Wild Rice Minnesota State Muffin: Blueberry Minnesota State Mushroom: The Morel State Seal: Minnesota State Motto Hail Minnesota: Minnesota State Song Minnesota State Fruit: The Honeycrisp Apple State Drink: Minnesota Produced Milk Minnesota State Photograph: Grace The photograph “Grace,” depicting an elderly man bowing his head and giving thanks, taken in Bovey, Minnesota, in 1918, by was adopted as the official state photograph in 2002. A copy of the photograph is on display in the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office in St. Paul. There are many ways to learn about our Minnesota state symbols. While you are out camping you can listen for a loon call and come across our beautiful state flower (Don't pick it! It's a protected species.)You might head up to Itasca Park or other areas where our state tree still grows in abundance. We loved the idea that so many of our Minnesota state symbols are foods, so we created a page of Minnesota State Symbol Recipes. Enjoy! Anyone who wants to learn more facts about Minnesota will enjoy Minnesota Facts and Symbols. 
Other Proposed Minnesota State SymbolsOver the years, other Minnesota state symbols have been suggested, either in the legislative process or by the public and the media. These include the mosquito as the state insect, the gopher as the state animal, and Little House on the Prairie as the state book, among others.Here is at least a partial list: Amphibian: The Northern leopard frog was proposed as the Minnesota state amphibian by HF737 in 1999 and by HF3471/SF3103 in 1998.
Amusement Ride: In 2007, legislation was offered in the form of HF2354 to make the Tilt-A-Whirl the official state amusement ride. Animal/Mammal: Legislation has been offered designating both the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus borealis), proposed at least eight times, and the Eastern timber wolf (Canis lupus), proposed at least six times, as the official Minnesota animal or mammal. In addition, amendments have been introduced to designate the 13-lined ground squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus) as the state animal/mammal instead of the white-tailed deer. Such amendments were introduced in 1977 (attempt to amend HF 749 on page 1242 of the 1977-1978 House Journal) and in 1973 (attempt to amend HF142 on page 290 of the 1973-1974 House Journal). In 2000, Minnesota schoolchildren voted on whether the state mammal should be the wolf, the white-tailed deer or the gopher. The wolf received 208 votes; the deer got 129 votes and the gopher got 80. A newspaper clipping from 1973 documents a citizen proposal to designate the wood tick as the official state animal. “If it were … since the loon is already the official state bird, we’d be the loon-and-tick state …” (St. Paul Pioneer Press, February 18, 1973, page 4). Beer: In 1987, competing bills proposed designating a state beer. HF288/SF303 proposed Schell’s Deer Brand beer, while HF671 suggested Cold Spring beer. Book: In 1990, HF2663 proposed the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book Little House on the Prairie be selected as the Minnesota state book. In 1992, HF1708/SF1592 suggested that On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder should be the state book. Candy: In 1997, licorice was proposed as the state candy in HF144. Folk Dance: In 1992 (HF2251/SF2013) and in 1994 (HF2089/SF1699), the square dance was proposed as the state folk dance. Fossil: Legislation was introduced in 1988 (SF1701/HF2653) which would have designated the Giant Beaver (Castoroides ohioensis) as the Minnesota state fossil. Legislators suggested that the rynchotrema, the trilobite and the bison should all be considered as the state fossil in 1988, but legislation was not introduced. Insect: Clippings suggest a variety of insects as the state insect; however, no legislation has been introduced. Among the suggestions are the mosquito, the wood tick, the no-see-um and the corn borer. Mineral: In 1990, HF2716 proposed that iron ore should be designated the Minnesota state mineral. Nickname/Slogan: Three nicknames are used to refer to the state of Minnesota: the gopher state; land of 10,000 lakes; and the North Star state . Parasite: In 1977, Senator Jack Davies considered offering an amendment to HF970 proposing the leech as the Minnesota state parasite. Reptile: The Blanding’s turtle was proposed as the Minnesota state amphibian by HF737 in 1999 and by HF3471/SF3103 in 1998 Soil: In 1987, although the Minnesota Legislature was not involved, the Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists designated Lester loam as the state soil. Soup: In 1998, wild rice soup was proposed as the official state soup by SF3419.
Download a Minnesota State Symbols Coloring Book! Minnesota State Quarter
For a ten-year period from 1999 through 2008, the United States Mint commemorated each state by releasing a quarter honoring each state. The Minnesota State Quarter was released in 2005. The Minnesota coin design was selected by the members of the Minnesota State Quarter Commission.
Related Pages: Minnesota Fun Facts Minnesota History Minnesota Geography Little Known Minnesota Suscribe to Minnesota Visitor
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