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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

Mississippi Symbols

Mississippi State American Folk Dance

Square Dance

Adopted on July 1, 1995.

The square dance was adopted as the American folk dance of Mississippi, Chapter 303 of the General Laws of Mississippi on July 1, 1995.

MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972
As Amended
SEC. 3-3-39. State dance.
The dance known as the square dance is hereby designated and adopted as the American folk dance of the State of Mississippi.
SOURCES: Laws, 1995, ch. 303, Sec. 1, eff from and after July 1, 1995

Square dance is a folk dance for four couples that was first described in 17th century England, but which has become associated with the United States of America due to its historic development in that country. The various movements used in square dancing are based on traditional folk dances of the various people who migrated to the USA. Some of these dances include Morris dance, English Country Dance, and the quadrille. Square dancing is enjoyed by people around the world, and people around the world are involved in the continuing development of this dance.

The movements are prompted by calls. The calls are put together by a caller to form a dance. The caller leads but does not participate in the dance.

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.