Symbols of Pennsylvania
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| Symbols of Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pennsylvania |
| Adopted | Various |
| Nickname | "Keystone State" |
| Motto | "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence" |
| Bird | Ruffed grouse |
| Flower | Mountain laurel |
| Tree | Eastern hemlock |
| Insect | Firefly |
Symbols of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's emblems reflect its role in American history and culture, drawing on icons linked to William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson as well as places like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Gettysburg National Military Park, and Valley Forge National Historical Park. These symbols intersect with institutions such as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Temple University while resonating in events like the Gettysburg Address, the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitutional Convention (1787), and the Battle of Gettysburg.
Official state symbols
Pennsylvania's roster of official emblems includes legislative adoptions tied to figures such as Benjamin Franklin, William Penn, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Robert Fulton and to locations like Independence Hall, Fort Pitt Blockhouse, Delaware River, Susquehanna River, and Allegheny River. The official state bird, the Ruffed grouse, joins the state flower, Mountain laurel, and the state tree, Eastern hemlock. Statutes also designate the state insect, the firefly, and the state dog, the Great Dane (selected in a legislative resolution), while culinary recognitions mention Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine staples like the Whoopie pie and Shoofly pie. Legislative symbols reference Pennsylvania Dutch, Mennonites, Amish, and immigrant groups from Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Poland.
Historical and cultural symbols
Pennsylvania's cultural emblems evoke Revolutionary-era icons such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross, and the Continental Congress, and Revolutionary leaders including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Alexander Hamilton. Civil War memorialization centers on Gettysburg National Military Park, Meade, and surviving battlefield landmarks tied to Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Industrial-era symbols reflect innovators like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, George Westinghouse, Andrew Mellon, and J. P. Morgan along with sites such as the Homestead Steel Works, Allegheny Observatory, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society. Cultural institutions include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Orchestra, and festivals like Pennsylvania Farm Show and Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Natural symbols (flora, fauna, geology)
Official botanical and zoological symbols connect to conservation sites such as Pocono Mountains, Allegheny National Forest, Presque Isle State Park, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and Ohiopyle State Park. The state fish, the brook trout, and the state fossil, the Phacops rana trilobite, tie to paleontological digs in regions like Lancaster County, Pike County, and Bucks County. Keystone geology references the Appalachian Mountains, Pocono Formation, Marcellus Shale, Gettysburg Basin, and Niagara Escarpment. Wildlife conservation invokes species linked to Pennsylvania Game Commission, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and sanctuaries for bald eagle recovery near Conowingo Dam and Susquehanna River habitats.
Symbols of government and seals
Governmental insignia derive from colonial seals and constitutions associated with figures such as William Penn and events like the Charter of Pennsylvania (1681). The state coat of arms, flag, and great seal incorporate images referencing commerce on the Delaware River, industry on the Schuylkill River, and agriculture in Lancaster County; these insignia are used by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Pennsylvania Governor's Office, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Pennsylvania State Senate. Historic legal instruments include the Act of Union, colonial-era patents tied to Quaker governance, and administrative emblems displayed at Harrisburg State Capitol and the Independence National Historical Park.
Symbols in education and institutions
Academic seals, mascots, and colors reflect collegiate histories at University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Lehigh University, Lafayette College, Villanova University, Drexel University, Temple University, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, Bucknell University, Yale University-connected alumni, and Princeton University-trained faculty. Institutional icons include the Benjamin Franklin statue at UPenn, the Penn Relays at Franklin Field, the Beaver Stadium traditions at Penn State University Park, and research symbols tied to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, U.S. Steel South Side Works legacy programs, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts collections.
Unofficial and regional symbols
Informal emblems proliferate across regions: Philadelphia's Rocky steps and Love Park iconography, Pittsburgh's Three Rivers imagery and Heinz Field tailgating culture, the Lancaster County Amish buggy, Hershey, Pennsylvania chocolate and Hersheypark, and the Poconos honeymoon tradition. Regional music and arts reference performers and venues like Wagner, John Philip Sousa, The Roots (band), Hall & Oates, Eagles (band), Taylor Swift (concerts at Lincoln Financial Field), and festivals at KeyBank Pavilion, Heinz Hall, and Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Sports icons include Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia 76ers, and college rivalries such as Penn State Nittany Lions vs Pittsburgh Panthers. Culinary regionalisms invoke Philly cheesesteak, Pittsburgh salad, Pierogies, Lebanon bologna, Scrapple, and confectionery traditions at Wilbur Chocolate Company and Toblerone-related tourism.