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State Symbols

The official state symbols represent the cultural heritage and natural treasures of each state or the entire United States

California Symbols

California State Tartan

California Tartan

Adopted in 2001

Enacted by legislation in 2001, the California Tartan recognizes the contributions to California by residents of Scottish ancestry. The legislation also stated that the official State Tartan may be claimed by any resident of the state.

The tartan is based on the Muir Clan tartan to honor the great naturalist John Muir. However, it is original enough to be registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority as California State District Tartan Number 200111 and with the Scottish Tartans Society as Tartan 2454.

The official State Tartan is described as a pattern or sett consisting of alternate squares of meadow green and pacific blue that are separated and surrounded by narrow charcoal bands. The squares of meadow green are divided by a gold seam that is supported by charcoal lines on each side. There are three redwood stripes, the middle of which is broader, that are added to each side of the gold seam. The pacific blue square is divided by a sky blue stripe, which is supported on each side by charcoal lines.

The tartan's blue reflects the sky, the ocean, and the state' s rivers and lakes, while the green stands for the state's mountains, fields, and parks. The red, gold, and blue seams signify the arts, sciences, agriculture, and industry of California.

Official California State Tartan registered and accepted as such by The Scottish Tartans Society and entered in The Registry of All Known Tartans as TS 2454 on the 3rd of June, 1998. Registered, as well, by The Scottish Tartans Authority as Tartan 200111 and The World Registry of Tartans. Duly enacted by the California Assembly unanimously, and signed by Governor Gray Davis on July 23, 2001. It is estimated, based on US Census data, that there are up to 5,000,000 Californians with some Scots ancestry residing in the state.

State Symbols

State symbols represent things that are special to a particular state.

symbol \ˈsim-bəl\
noun

Etymology:
in sense 1, from Late Latin symbolum, from Late Greek symbolon, from Greek, token, sign; in other senses from Latin symbolum token, sign, symbol, from Greek symbolon, literally, token of identity verified by comparing its other half, from symballein to throw together, compare, from syn- + ballein to throw — more at devil
Date: 15th century

1: Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.