Utah State Emblem

Beehive

Adopted on March 4, 1959.

The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959.

Utah Code
63-13-5.5. State symbols.
(7) Utah's state emblem is the beehive.

Utahns relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional State of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the State of Utah when Utah became a state in 1896.

Not unlike other leaders throughout history who have chosen symbols to inspire the best in their people, 19th-century leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints selected a symbol to represent the kind of community they hoped to establish in the Rocky Mountains.

The beehive — now Utah's state symbol — gave expression to values that helped early Mormon pioneers survive on the American frontier: industry and cooperation.

An interpretation of this symbol appeared in an 11 October 1881 article in Salt Lake City's Deseret News, stating: "The hive and honey bees form our communal coat of arms. ... It is a significant representation of the industry, harmony, order and frugality of the people, and of the sweet results of their toil, union and intelligent cooperation."

Utah's emblem is in the form of an old-style beehive known as a skep. These dome-shaped skeps were made using twisted coils of straw. Mormon pioneers brought five of them to Utah in 1848.

The beehive — Utah's state symbol — was chosen by early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to represent the kind of community they hoped to establish in the Rocky Mountains.
The beehive symbolizes industry and cooperation — values necessary for Mormon pioneers to survive the harsh, primitive living conditions on the American frontier.
The origin of the beehive symbol probably was inspired by Latter-day Saint scripture that tells of an ancient people who journeyed to the New World and carried with them "deseret," which means "honey bee."
Use of the beehive symbol and the terms deseret and beehive has continued in numerous forms: on Utah's state flag and seal, on buildings, in names of businesses and Church organizations and in Utah's nickname — the "Beehive State."
The beehive symbol also acknowledges Latter-day Saints' strong work ethic and their desire to be connected with each other as they work together for the benefit of all members of the community.

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