Louisiana State Symbols

Louisiana has the beautiful magnolia flower for its flower state symbol. The Magnolia grandiflora was adopted in 1900 in House Bill 280. The flower was chosen because it is prolific in the state. Late in the 1950’s, a group known as the Society for Louisiana Iris, fought to have the flower changed to Louisiana Iris. To appease this argument, the legislature in 1990 named the Louisiana Iris as the states wildflower. The Baldcypress is the state’s tree symbol.

The Square Dance is Louisiana’s official American Folk Dance. House Concurrent Resolution 89 (1999) states: “the original square dances can be described as choreographic melting pots, containing elements of the Morris and Maypole dances of England, as well as the French ballroom dances and church dances of Spain, and as later immigrant arrived on our shores, square dancing evolved to include the folk dance traditions of nations such as Ireland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Austria, Russia, and Mexico. Square dancing in Louisiana remains a popular activity especially in the rural areas. The Diatonic Accordion is the state’s musical instrument and is used in most Cajun bands.

The crawfish is the logical choice for Louisiana’s state crustacean. It is one of the state’s leading cash crops. You will find it on most of the restaurants menus in the state. It is prepared by boiling and then “peeling” the exoskeleton off. The meat inside is consider a delicacy and is a popular entree. It is unique in that it has to be prepared live like a lobster. Along with this entree, the gumbo is the state’s cuisine. Gumbo is a stew or soup made with a meat or shellfish, stock, vegetables and is served over rice. The Louisiana Meat Pie known as the Natchitoches Meat Pie is the State Meat Pie. This pie is made of beef and pork ground meat, onions, garlic, and green peppers. This is filling for a half moon crust. The edges are pinched together and it is then deep fried until golden brown.

The Creole Tomato and the Sweet Potato are the states vegetable symbols. Milk and Strawberries are state’s drink and fruit. Louisiana’s state jellies are the Mayhaw Jelly and the Louisiana Sugar Cane Jelly. Beignet doughnuts are recognized as the state doughnut.

Many animals and birds make the Louisiana State Symbols list. The state dog is the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. The Green Treefrog is the state amphibian. The state bird is the Brown Pelican. The small black bear was named the state’s mammal in 1992.

The alligator is the states reptile of choice. There are two kinds of fish on the state’s list of symbols; the saltwater fish symbol is the Spotted Sea Trout and the freshwater fish is the White Perch or sometimes known as the white crappie or Sac-au-lait.

Representing the Cajun or Creole Heritage is the state symbols, the hoop nets, castnets, and shrimp trawals. All three of these are today by fishermen in Louisiana to feed their families and as revenue for their cash crops.

The state recognizes several songs among them are “Gifts of the Earth”, “Louisiana My Home Sweet Home”, “Give Me Louisiana”, and “You Are My Sunshine”.