North Carolina has a fascinating story, and its official symbols help tell it. From the state flower and bird to its tree, song, and flag, each symbol connects to the people, history, and natural beauty of the Tar Heel State.
I’ve put together this guide to make North Carolina state symbols easy to understand. You’ll discover what each symbol is, why it matters, and the story behind its official recognition.
Whether you’re a student, a curious traveler, or simply proud of North Carolina, you can use this guide to explore the state’s identity in a simple and memorable way.
North Carolina State Symbols List
North Carolina has many official state symbols and other official adoptions. They cover nature, history, culture, food, arts, sports, and state identity. The North Carolina General Assembly has adopted these symbols through state laws, with the relevant statutes collected in Chapter 145 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Here is a useful overview of major North Carolina state symbols:
| Category | Official Symbol |
| State Flower | Dogwood |
| State Bird | Cardinal |
| State Tree | Pine |
| State Mammal | Gray squirrel |
| State Flag | North Carolina flag |
| State Shell | Scotch bonnet |
| State Insect | Honeybee |
| State Rock | Granite |
| State Precious Stone | Emerald |
| State Beverage | Milk |
| State Reptile | Turtle |
| State Saltwater Fish | Channel bass, also called red drum |
| State Carnivorous Plant | Venus flytrap |
| State Butterfly | Eastern tiger swallowtail |
| State Dog | Plott Hound |
| State Vegetable | Sweet potato |
| State Fruit | Scuppernong grape |
| State Colors | Red and blue |
| State Motto | Esse Quam Videri |
| State Song | “The Old North State” |
| State Sport | Stock car racing |
The complete official list contains many additional categories, including the state fossil, salamander, frog, horse, tartan, wildflower, Christmas tree, folk art, dances, festivals, and theaters.
One useful detail is that North Carolina distinguishes between a broad official category and a particular emblem in some cases. For example, the official state tree is the pine, while the longleaf pine is designated as the emblem representing the trees of North Carolina.
North Carolina State Symbols And Emblems
North Carolina’s symbols and emblems represent different parts of the state’s identity. Some are plants and animals, while others are objects, traditions, colors, or cultural references.
The difference can matter when researching a school assignment. A symbol may be an official category, while an emblem can represent a broader group.
For example, the law identifies pine as the official state tree and separately identifies the longleaf pine as the emblem representing North Carolina’s trees. Similarly, the state reptile category is turtle, while the eastern box turtle is designated as the emblem representing turtles inhabiting North Carolina.
Some important examples include:
- 🌲 Pine — state tree
- 🌸 Dogwood — state flower
- 🐦 Cardinal — state bird
- 🐿️ Gray squirrel — state mammal
- 🐝 Honeybee — state insect
- 🐢 Eastern box turtle — emblem representing North Carolina turtles
- 🌿 Venus flytrap — state carnivorous plant
- 💎 Emerald — state precious stone
- 🪨 Granite — state rock
These symbols can be useful for classroom displays, state reports, crafts, presentations, and educational activities.
NC State Tree
The official state tree of North Carolina is the pine.
The North Carolina General Assembly adopted the pine as the official state tree in 1963. The law did not select one particular species of pine because several pine species are native to the state.
North Carolina is home to several native pine species, including:
- Eastern white pine
- Loblolly pine
- Longleaf pine
- Pitch pine
- Pond pine
- Shortleaf pine
- Table Mountain pine
- Virginia pine
The pine has a strong connection to North Carolina’s history and natural resources. Pine forests supported industries involving timber and naval stores, including products such as tar, pitch, and rosin.
Pine Symbol
🌲 Pine
For a school project, children can draw a pine tree and label it:
North Carolina State Tree: Pine
A common mistake is to say that the longleaf pine is the official state tree. The official state tree is the pine generally. The longleaf pine has a separate designation as an emblem representing the state’s trees.
NC State Flower
The official state flower of North Carolina is the dogwood.
The General Assembly designated the dogwood as the official state flower in 1941. The flowering dogwood is especially familiar to North Carolinians because it produces its distinctive blooms in spring.
The flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, has four prominent white or pinkish bracts surrounding its small central flowers. It is found in woodlands across much of the state.
Dogwood Symbol
🌸 Dogwood
For a classroom label:
North Carolina State Flower: Dogwood
Children may also learn that several dogwood species occur in North Carolina. The state flower designation refers to the flower of the dogwood rather than declaring one single dogwood species as the only official species.
NC State Bird
The official state bird of North Carolina is the cardinal, specifically the northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis.
The General Assembly officially adopted the cardinal as the state bird in 1943. Its selection followed a statewide effort involving the North Carolina Bird Club, newspapers, birding groups, and schools. More than 23,000 votes were cast in the campaign, with numerous bird species suggested.
The male cardinal is easily recognized by its bright red plumage and black mask around the bill. Females are generally brownish with reddish coloring.
Cardinal Symbol
🐦 Cardinal
Simple school label:
North Carolina State Bird: Cardinal
The cardinal is a useful symbol for children because it is easy to recognize and draw. Students can also compare the male and female cardinal when creating a science or state-symbol project.
NC State Animal
North Carolina does not simply list a general “state animal” in its statutes. The official category is the state mammal, and that mammal is the gray squirrel.
The General Assembly adopted the gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, as the official state mammal in 1969.
Gray Squirrel Symbol
🐿️ Gray squirrel
The gray squirrel is an interesting choice for classroom activities because students can connect the symbol with wildlife, forests, trees, and ecosystems.
For a simple worksheet answer:
North Carolina State Mammal: Gray squirrel
If a worksheet asks for the “state animal,” it is useful to explain that North Carolina’s official legal designation is state mammal, not simply “state animal.”
Flag North Carolina State Symbols
The North Carolina state flag is one of the state’s most recognizable official symbols.
The flag has a blue vertical union containing a white star. A gold N appears on one side of the star and a gold C on the other. The horizontal section has a red bar above a white bar. Two gold scrolls contain the dates May 20th, 1775 and April 12th, 1776.
North Carolina Flag Elements
| Element | What You See |
| Blue union | Left-side vertical section |
| White star | Center of the blue union |
| Gold N | Left of the star |
| Gold C | Right of the star |
| Red bar | Upper horizontal section |
| White bar | Lower horizontal section |
| May 20th, 1775 | Upper date |
| April 12th, 1776 | Lower date |
The flag was officially adopted in 1885, although its design and historical interpretation have roots in earlier state history.
For children, the flag provides an easy drawing activity: start with the blue union, add the white star and gold letters, then finish the red and white horizontal sections.
NC State Symbol College
The phrase NC State can refer to North Carolina State University rather than North Carolina’s official state symbols. These are two different subjects.
NC State University has its own institutional identity and trademarks. Its official brand includes the NC State brick logo, while athletics and spirit marks include the Wolf Head and other university marks.
The university’s Wolfpack identity is separate from the official symbols adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly.
For example:
| North Carolina | NC State University |
| Cardinal | Wolfpack identity |
| Dogwood | University branding |
| Pine | NC State logos and marks |
| Gray squirrel | Wolf Head athletics mark |
| State flag | NC State University brand |
This distinction is helpful when searching for “NC State symbols.” A school assignment about North Carolina state symbols normally concerns official state symbols. A question about NC State symbols may instead refer to North Carolina State University.
North Carolina State Symbols For Kids
North Carolina state symbols can make a simple and engaging topic for children. Start with a small group instead of asking young students to memorize the entire official list.
A good beginner set is:
- 🌲 Pine — state tree
- 🌸 Dogwood — state flower
- 🐦 Cardinal — state bird
- 🐿️ Gray squirrel — state mammal
- 🚩 North Carolina flag — state flag
A simple activity is to have children draw each symbol and write one sentence about it.
For example:
Pine: The pine is North Carolina’s state tree.
Dogwood: The dogwood is North Carolina’s state flower.
Cardinal: The cardinal is North Carolina’s state bird.
Gray squirrel: The gray squirrel is North Carolina’s state mammal.
Flag: The North Carolina flag has a star, the letters N and C, and two dates.
These activities combine reading, writing, art, and basic state history.
North Carolina State Symbols 4th Grade
Fourth-grade students can explore North Carolina state symbols in more depth. At this level, the activity can move beyond memorization and ask students why a particular symbol represents the state.
A fourth-grade project could include a chart like this:
| Symbol | Category | Question To Explore |
| Pine | Tree | Why are pine trees important to North Carolina? |
| Dogwood | Flower | Why was the dogwood selected? |
| Cardinal | Bird | How was the cardinal selected? |
| Gray squirrel | Mammal | What does the squirrel tell us about North Carolina wildlife? |
| Flag | Emblem | What do the major parts of the flag look like? |
Students can also research when each symbol became official. For example, the dogwood was adopted in 1941, the cardinal in 1943, the gray squirrel in 1969, and the pine in 1963.
North Carolina State Symbols For 3rd Grade
Third-grade students can learn the same symbols through shorter facts, pictures, and matching exercises.
Try this simple matching activity:
Match the symbol to its category:
- Pine
- Dogwood
- Cardinal
- Gray squirrel
Categories:
- A. State flower
- B. State bird
- C. State tree
- D. State mammal
Answer: 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D.
Students can also create a “My North Carolina Symbols” page with four drawings and four short facts. This keeps the activity focused without overwhelming younger learners with the state’s complete list of official adoptions.
North Carolina State Symbols Pictures
Pictures can make state-symbol lessons much easier for children to understand.
Useful pictures to include are:
- North Carolina state flag
- Pine tree
- Dogwood flower
- Male cardinal
- Female cardinal
- Gray squirrel
- Honeybee
- Venus flytrap
- Eastern box turtle
- Granite
- Emerald
- Scotch bonnet shell
When preparing a worksheet or classroom resource, label every picture clearly. A picture of a longleaf pine, for example, should not be labeled simply as “the official state tree” without explaining the distinction between the general pine designation and the longleaf pine emblem.
For official and educational images, state resources such as NCpedia and North Carolina state agencies can be useful starting points. Always check the usage rights before republishing photographs or illustrations.
Images Of North Carolina State Symbols
Images of North Carolina state symbols work well for posters, presentations, classroom boards, reports, and digital projects.
A useful image collection can include one picture for each major symbol:
Nature images
- Pine tree
- Dogwood
- Cardinal
- Gray squirrel
- Honeybee
- Venus flytrap
State identity images
- North Carolina flag
- State seal
- State colors
- State motto
Other official symbols
- Granite
- Emerald
- Scotch bonnet
- Red drum
- Eastern box turtle
For online publishing, avoid taking random images from search results and assuming they are free to reuse. Instead, check the original source and its stated permissions.
North Carolina State Symbols Printables
Printable state-symbol resources can turn a research topic into a hands-on activity.
Useful printable formats include:
- State symbols matching sheet — match each symbol to its category.
- Fill-in-the-blank page — students complete simple facts.
- Picture identification sheet — identify the pine, dogwood, cardinal, and gray squirrel.
- North Carolina flag activity — color and label the flag.
- Research page — students choose one symbol and write three facts.
- Symbol flashcards — one symbol per card for review.
- Cut-and-paste activity — match pictures with names.
NCpedia also provides educational materials related to individual state symbols, including activity resources connected with symbols such as the cardinal and pine tree.
North Carolina State Symbols Worksheet
A good worksheet should test understanding rather than simply ask students to memorize a long list.
Sample Worksheet
1. What is North Carolina’s state tree?
Answer: __________________
2. What is North Carolina’s state flower?
Answer: __________________
3. What bird is the official state bird?
Answer: __________________
4. What is the official state mammal?
Answer: __________________
5. Draw the North Carolina state flag.
6. Circle the state flower:
Dogwood / Rose / Sunflower
7. Circle the state bird:
Cardinal / Eagle / Robin
8. Write one fact about the pine tree.
9. Write one fact about the North Carolina flag.
10. Choose one state symbol and explain why it interests you.
This format can be adjusted for different grade levels by changing the amount of writing required.
North Carolina State Symbols Coloring Pages
Coloring pages are especially useful for younger students because they combine creativity with learning.
Good subjects include:
- North Carolina flag
- Pine tree
- Dogwood flower
- Cardinal
- Gray squirrel
- Honeybee
- Eastern box turtle
- Venus flytrap
For a flag coloring page, students can practice identifying the blue, red, white, and gold elements. For a nature-symbol page, teachers can add a simple label beneath each drawing.
One helpful idea is to put a short fact below the picture. For example:
Cardinal — North Carolina State Bird
This lets children learn the symbol while they color.
North Carolina State Symbols PowerPoint
A PowerPoint about North Carolina state symbols can be short and visual. A 10-slide presentation could follow this structure:
Slide 1: North Carolina State Symbols
Slide 2: What Is a State Symbol?
Slide 3: North Carolina State Tree — Pine
Slide 4: North Carolina State Flower — Dogwood
Slide 5: North Carolina State Bird — Cardinal
Slide 6: North Carolina State Mammal — Gray Squirrel
Slide 7: North Carolina State Flag
Slide 8: Other Interesting State Symbols
Slide 9: Quick Quiz
Slide 10: What Did We Learn?
Use one clear image and a few short facts on each slide. Avoid filling the presentation with long paragraphs.
For younger students, add questions such as:
- Which symbol is a bird?
- Which symbol is a flower?
- What animal is the state mammal?
- What kind of tree is the state tree?
- What letters appear on the state flag?
That turns a basic presentation into an interactive lesson.
FAQ
What Are The Main North Carolina State Symbols?
Some of the best-known official symbols are the pine as the state tree, dogwood as the state flower, cardinal as the state bird, gray squirrel as the state mammal, and the North Carolina flag. The state has many additional official symbols covering nature, culture, history, food, and other categories.
What Is North Carolina’s State Tree?
North Carolina’s official state tree is the pine. The state did not choose one particular pine species as the official tree. The longleaf pine has a separate legal designation as an emblem representing the trees of North Carolina.
What Is North Carolina’s State Flower?
The dogwood is North Carolina’s official state flower. The General Assembly adopted the dogwood in 1941. Flowering dogwood is one of the dogwood species found naturally in the state.
What Is North Carolina’s State Bird?
The cardinal is the official state bird of North Carolina. The General Assembly adopted it in 1943 after a statewide campaign involving bird clubs, schools, newspapers, and other groups.
What Is North Carolina’s State Animal?
The official legal category is the state mammal, and North Carolina’s state mammal is the gray squirrel. It was adopted as the official state mammal in 1969.
Conclusion
North Carolina state symbols provide an easy way to explore the state’s natural environment, history, culture, and identity. The pine, dogwood, cardinal, gray squirrel, and state flag are among the most familiar examples, while many other official symbols add more detail to the story of the state.
For students, these symbols can become much more than facts to memorize. Pictures, worksheets, coloring pages, matching games, and PowerPoint presentations can turn the topic into an engaging classroom lesson for different age groups.
The key is to use accurate names and categories. In particular, remember that the pine is the official state tree, the dogwood is the official state flower, the cardinal is the official state bird, and the gray squirrel is the official state mammal.
Mason Ellington
Daniel Brooks