State Symbols of Virginia

By | Updated on January 22, 2023

Reviewed by Rittika

Virginia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a constituent state located between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.

Virginia was named by the English adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh. The state name honors Queen Elizabeth I who was known as the Virgin Queen of England. Old Dominion is Virginia’s most well-known state nickname, alongside Mother of Presidents and Mother of States. King Charles II introduced the term “Old Dominion” in response to Virginia’s devotion to the crown during the English Civil War.

American Indians lived in Virginia when Jamestown, the first English settlement, was established in 1607. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson. Virginia eventually joined the United States as the 10th state on June 25, 1788, after the Revolutionary War. Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, shortly after the American Civil War began. The western region of the state refused to secede which resulted in the formation of West Virginia in 1863. In 1870, Virginia was re-admitted to the Union.

It shares borders with Maryland to the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, Kentucky to the west, West Virginia to the northwest, and North Carolina and Tennessee to the south.
Richmond serves as the state capital whereas, Virginia Beach is the most populous city.

With a total area of 42,775 sq mi (110,787 sq km), Virginia is the thirty-fifth largest by area. According to the United States Census 2020, the state’s total population is 8,631,393 making it the twelfth populous state.
With forests covering 62% of the state, Virginia has one of the best natural resources in the nation. Timber sales in Virginia provide around $17 billion in revenue annually. Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Monticello, the Civil War battlefields, and Gen. Robert E. Lee’s home, which is situated on the grounds of what is now Arlington National Cemetery, are just a few of Virginia’s numerous historical attractions.

The fun fact about the state is its historical importance to black history. Pocahontas Island in Petersburg, which is on the National Historic Register of Historic Places, is the country’s oldest free black settlement.
The state motto of Virginia is “Sic Semper Tyrannis” (Thus Always to Tyrants). Virginia’s state flag and seal both display the Latin motto.

On March 16, 2017, Virginia made “Song of the Mountains” its official state television program because it promotes the state’s music, history, and culture.
In 1950, Virginia made the Northern cardinal its official state flower whereas, the Flowering dogwood was declared Virginia’s official state bird in 1918.

In 1996, Virginia declared English to be the Commonwealth’s official language.

State Information

State seal

Motto of Virginia

Sic semper tyrannis- "Thus Always to Tyrants"

State symbols of Virginia 👇

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  State capital
  Richmond
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  State bird
  Cardinal
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  State flower
  Flowering dogwood
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  State tree
  Flowering dogwood
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  State dance
  Square Dance
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  State reptile
  Eastern garter snake
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  State insect
  Tiger swallowtail butterfly
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  State animal
  Virginia Big-Eared Bat
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  State dish
  Cured country ham
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  State fish
  Brook trout

State location

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