Maine State Symbols: The Bird, Flower, Animal, and Icons of the Pine Tree State

Every U.S. state adopts official symbols that capture its history, landscape, and character, and Maine’s are a wonderful window into the “Pine Tree State.” From a hardy little bird to a towering pine, a giant moose to a beloved soda, these emblems tell the story of Maine’s forests, waters, and people. Here is a friendly guide to the best-known ones.

The State Flag and Seal

Maine’s state flag and seal share the same coat of arms. A farmer and a seaman stand for the state’s farming and maritime traditions, flanking a shield that shows a moose resting beneath a white pine. Above shines the North Star and the state motto, “Dirigo” — Latin for “I lead.” The seal appears on official state documents, representing the authority of the State of Maine.

The State Bird: Black-capped Chickadee

Named the state bird in 1927, the black-capped chickadee is a small, cheerful year-round resident known for its bright “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call. Because it stays through Maine’s long, cold winters, many see it as a symbol of the resilience and good cheer of Mainers themselves.

The State Flower: White Pine Cone and Tassel

Uniquely, Maine’s state flower is not a flower at all. Adopted in 1895, it is the cone and tassel of the eastern white pine — a fitting choice for a state whose identity is bound up with its forests. It honors the white pine’s central role in Maine’s history and economy.

The State Tree: Eastern White Pine

Designated in 1945, the eastern white pine gives the Pine Tree State its nickname. These giants can top 80 feet and live for centuries. In colonial times, the tallest and straightest were reserved for masts in the British Royal Navy — marked with the King’s “broad arrow” — and the tree later powered Maine’s great logging era.

The State Animal: The Moose

Few creatures say “Maine” like the moose, the state animal since 1979. Maine is home to a large moose population — among the densest in the Lower 48 — and this towering, antlered icon of the North Woods draws wildlife watchers from around the world. Spotting one in a misty bog at dawn is a classic Maine experience.

The State Fish: Landlocked Salmon

Made the state fish in 1969, the landlocked salmon is one of Maine’s most prized game fish, thriving in the state’s cold, clear lakes and rivers. It stands for the health of Maine’s waters and its deep fishing heritage — for more on where and how to fish here, see our guide to fishing in Maine.

Tastes of Maine: Berry, Dessert, Treat, and Drink

Some of Maine’s most fun symbols are edible. The tiny, intensely flavored wild blueberry became the official state berry in 1991 — Maine is the nation’s leading producer, and you can read about the harvest in our guide to Milbridge, the blueberry capital. That same berry stars in the state dessert, blueberry pie (2011), while the cream-filled whoopie pie was named the official state treat the same year. And to wash it all down, Mainers chose the distinctively tangy soda Moxie as the official state soft drink in 2005.

More Maine Emblems

Maine has adopted dozens of official symbols over the years. Among the favorites are the Maine coon, one of the largest domestic cat breeds, named the state cat in 1985, and tourmaline, the colorful state gemstone (1971) mined in the western Maine mountains. The list goes on to include a state insect (the honeybee), a state herb (wintergreen), and many more — each one a small tribute to some corner of Maine life.

Symbols Close to Home

You do not have to travel far to meet Maine’s symbols. Around our own town of Winslow in the central Kennebec Valley, white pines shade the riverbanks, chickadees flit through the yards, and wild blueberries ripen in summer. That same landscape has shaped local life for centuries, as the story of Fort Halifax and the Kennebec River shows. Maine’s emblems are not just state trivia — they are part of everyday life here.

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