Kansas State Symbols

Kansas State Symbols By: Michelle Franco

WHAT IS A SYMBOL?

something that stands for something else | a representation ex: a turkey is often used as a symbol for Thanksgiving

KANSAS SYMBOLS

There are many different symbols for Kansas, but we are going to cover a few in depth. If you want to check out every symbol click about the button to learn more.

ALL SYMBOLS

STATE SEAL

The rising sun represents the East; the river and steamboat are symbols of commerce; the cabins; settler and plow horses represent agriculture as the base for the future prosperity of the state of Kansas. In the distance oxen draw a wagon train west, and a herd of buffalo is pursued by two Indians on horseback (the buffalo was adopted as the official state animal of Kansas in 1955; herds of buffalo that numbered in millions once roamed Kansas).

STATE FLOWER

Wild Native Sunflower

Benefits of our state flower!

Kansas designated the wild native sunflower as official state flower and floral emblem in 1903. The sunflower is featured on the Kansas quarter, state flag, and even the nickname for Kansas is "The Sunflower State." The flower head turns and faces the sun throughout the day - tracking the sun's movement.

STATE AMPHIBIAN

Barred Tiger Salamander

Kansas designated the barred tiger salamander as the official state amphibian in 1994. A large amphibian that can grow to 14 inches, they can be found in the wild from southwestern Canada through the western United States to northern Mexico.

Learn more about the state amphibian here!

STATE TREE

Cottonwood

Kansas designated the cottonwood as the official state tree in 1937. The cottonwoods are deciduous trees of the poplar species, distinguished by thick, deeply fissured bark and triangular to diamond-shaped leaves.

STATE REPTILE

ORNATE BOX TURTLE

Kansas designated the ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) as the offical state reptile in 1986. The ornate box turtle prefers prairies and pastures over forest.

STATE ANIMAL

American Buffalo

The magnificent American buffalo (Bison bison) was recognized as the official animal symbol of Kansas in 1955. Native Americans pursue a herd of buffalo on the state flag and seal of Kansas. Buffalo once roamed the American prairie by the tens of millions and provided a way of life for the Plains Indians.

See the American Buffalo in it's natural habitat!

Appreciate

Credits:

Wheat: https://goo.gl/images/8TXu7c Seal: https://goo.gl/images/SqbqvL Sunflower: https://goo.gl/images/PvRGtz Buffalo: https://goo.gl/images/eHXW9d Turtle: https://goo.gl/images/AyCSS0 Salamander: https://goo.gl/images/7IMeSn Tree: https://goo.gl/images/2xJbRl

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