Oklahoma state symbols

Overview and selected official and unofficial symbols of Oklahoma, their meanings, origins, and how they are adopted and used to represent the state's heritage and identity.

State symbols are emblems adopted to represent Oklahoma’s history, natural life, culture and civic identity. Many Oklahoma symbols are enacted into law by the state legislature and recorded in statute; others have been recognized by concurrent resolutions of the House or Senate. Together they appear on flags and seals, in school curricula, and in public ceremonies.

Selected official symbols

The following are some of the best-known symbols that Oklahoma recognizes formally. This selection illustrates the range of categories — natural, cultural and civic — that states commonly adopt.

State bird: Scissor-tailed flycatcher — a distinctive long-tailed bird often associated with the Great Plains and seen across Oklahoma.
State flower: Oklahoma Rose — designated to represent cultivated beauty and use in official displays; the state also recognizes native wildflowers.
State wildflower: Indian Blanket (Gaillardia) — a colorful native bloom commonly seen in prairie plantings.
State tree: Eastern redbud — a small, early-flowering tree valued for its pink blossoms and frequent planting in Oklahoma landscapes.
State mammal: American bison — an animal long tied to the region’s plains and history.
State flag and seal: The flag features an Osage warrior’s shield and other symbols reflecting Native American and frontier heritage; the Great Seal is used on official documents.
State motto and nickname: The Latin motto and the nickname “The Sooner State” reference historical settlement and state identity.
State song: The musical number from the Broadway show "Oklahoma!" is among the songs that have been adopted to celebrate the state.

Unofficial symbols and how symbols are adopted

Not all emblems are enacted as statutes. Some items — mascots, regional designations, or honorary symbols — may be recognized by legislative resolution or by popular custom. Official adoption normally requires a bill or joint resolution passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. Resolutions can express support or recognition but may not carry the same statutory force.

History and significance

Oklahoma’s symbols reflect the state’s geography, Native American heritage, frontier settlement and agricultural roots. Choices such as prairie plants, birds of the plains, and the bison link the modern state to its ecological past. Cultural symbols, including songs and mottos, are selected to promote civic pride and to appear on educational materials, tourism literature and government insignia.

Symbols serve both practical and symbolic roles: they help teach state history in schools, brand products or events, and provide shorthand for identity in ceremonies and commemorations. For a full, current inventory and the statutory citations, consult official state publications or the enacted laws that list all formal symbols.