Missouri State Symbols

Chapter 10 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) is titled “State Emblems” and is reserved for designating certain classes of things an “official state __________.” There is no legal definition of what qualifies as a state emblem, otherwise known as a state symbol. The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office is the de facto keeper of state symbols and the official keeper of one in particular: the state seal.

State symbols are meant to be educational, especially for school children. Several of Missouri’s state symbols were proposed by students and teachers. Missouri’s 40* official state symbols represent plant and animal life one may encounter in Missouri, as well as the traditions, practices and tourism opportunities valued in the state.

Click on a symbol below to learn more.

State American Folk Dance	State Amphibian
State Animal	State Aquatic Animal
State Arboreal Emblem (State Tree)	State Bird
State Child Abuse Prevention Symbol	State Dessert
State Dinosaur	State Endangered Species
State Exercise	State Fish
State Flag	State Floral Emblem (State Flower)
State Fossil	State Fruit Tree
State Game Bird	State Gold Star Memorial Monuments
State Grape	State Grass
State Historical Dog	State Hockey Team
State Horse	State Insect
State Invertebrate	State Korean War Veterans Memorial
State Lithologic Emblem (State Rock)	State Mineral
State Monument	State Motto
State Musical Instrument	State Purple Martin Capital
State Reptile	State Rifle
State Seal	State Song
State Sport	State Tartan
State Tree Nut	State UFO Capitals of Missouri
State Wonder Dog

 

Order a State Symbols Coloring Book and State Symbols Poster from the Secretary of State Publications Division.

https://s1.sos.mo.gov/publications/onlineordering/

*The state motto is technically part of the state seal statute, but could be counted separately, making the total 41 instead of 40. The several Gold Star Memorial Monuments are counted as one symbol.