The code of Virginia details several official emblems and designations of the commonwealth. Some you might expect, like the state bird or flower, while others are bizarrely specific. (We’re looking at you, state salamander.)
Here are a few of the major symbols that represent Virginia. Plus, take our quiz to see if you can correctly identify the official state designation in five categories.
State Bird: The Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal, that vibrant red bird you may spot in your garden from time to time, was named Virginia’s official state bird in 1950. Cardinals are year-round inhabitants of Virginia and live in backyards, parks, tall brush, and deciduous forests. The northern cardinal is also the state bird for Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia.
State Flower: The American Dogwood
The American dogwood serves double duty as both the state flower and the state tree. The small deciduous tree — which blooms large white, pink, or yellow flowers in the springtime — was designated as the state flower in 1918, then adopted as the state tree in 1956. Several dogwoods serve as memorial trees in Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Arboretum.
State Pony: The Chincoteague Pony
A recent addition to Virginia’s state symbols is the Chincoteague pony, which was officially designated in 2023. The ponies are said to have originated in Spain before a shipwreck landed them on
Assateague Island, where they still roam today. Every summer, visitors gather for the annual “Pony Swim” to watch the wild ponies cross the Assateague Channel. This year will mark the 100th anniversary of this tradition.
Pop Quiz!
Can you correctly identify Virginia’s state emblem or designation in these categories?
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This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
