Tennessee State Symbols

Tennessee state symbols: official state symbols include the northern mockingbird, iris, tulip poplar, Volunteer State nickname, and Agriculture and Commerce motto.

Abbreviation

Nashville

Capital

1796

Statehood

Symbols

Overview

Find out more about the official state symbols that represent Tennessee, from the northern mockingbird and iris to the tulip poplar, Volunteer State nickname, and Agriculture and Commerce motto. The Tennessee Walking Horse, shelter animal designations, and Barrett M82 make Tennessee's list one of the more wide-ranging in the Southeast.

Best-known symbol The Volunteer State

Oldest in this guide Tennessee State Flag, 1905

State horse Tennessee Walking Horse

Tennessee State Symbols — Complete List

Category	Official Symbol	Adopted
State Flag	Tennessee State Flag	1905
State Bird	Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos	1933
State Flower	Iris Iris	1933
State Tree	Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera	1947
State Motto	Agriculture and Commerce English	1987
State Nickname	The Volunteer State	—
State Horse	Tennessee walking horse Equus caballus	2000
State Pet	Shelter dogs and cats	2014
State Wild Animal	Raccoon Procyon lotor	1971
State Beverage	Milk	2009
State Colors	Orange and White	—
License Plate Slogan	The Volunteer State	1954
State Firearm	Barrett M82 / M107	2016
State Seal	Great Seal of Tennessee	1796

What Does Tennessee Mean?

Tennessee entered the Union in 1796 as the 16th state. The name is usually traced to Tanasi or Tanasqui, names associated with Cherokee towns in the region.

The state name reaches into Indigenous geography, while the official symbols here lean heavily into later state identity: volunteers, agriculture, commerce, horse breeding, and practical working symbols.

Tennessee's postal abbreviation is TN, and residents are Tennesseans. Volunteer State remains the state's strongest identity phrase.

Key Meaning and Background

Origin: Usually traced to Tanasi or Tanasqui, names associated with Cherokee towns.
Statehood: Tennessee became the 16th state in 1796.
Motto: Agriculture and Commerce is Tennessee's state motto.

Usage Examples and Context

State: Refers to Tennessee, a state stretching from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Mountains.
Regions: The three-star flag design is often associated with Tennessee's three grand divisions.
People: People from Tennessee are called Tennesseans.

Nicknames and Short Forms

The Volunteer State: Main nickname tied to Tennessee military volunteer traditions.
TN: Postal abbreviation and common short form.
Abbreviation: TN; older short form Tenn.

Newest and Oldest Symbols

Oldest listed Great Seal of Tennessee, 1796

Older symbols tend to anchor the state's public identity: flag, bird, flower, motto, or nickname.

Newest listed Barrett M82 / M107 (2016), Shelter dogs and cats (2014)

Recent designations often show how states keep adding wildlife, foods, breeds, and cultural traditions.

What Tennessee's Symbols Say About the State

The Volunteer State nickname gives Tennessee a public identity built around service and military memory, while the flag reduces the state to a bold three-star design.

The Tennessee Walking Horse is the most locally named animal page in the hub. It gives Tennessee a breeding and show-horse tradition rather than a generic wildlife pick.

The tulip poplar, iris, mockingbird, and raccoon keep the guide in eastern and southern landscapes, while the Barrett M82 / M107 adds a modern manufacturing symbol.

Quick Answers

What is Tennessee's most famous state symbol?

The Volunteer State nickname is Tennessee's clearest public shorthand and appears far beyond official-symbol lists.

What is Tennessee's state bird?

Tennessee has used the northern mockingbird as its bird emblem since 1933.

What is Tennessee's state flower?

The iris became Tennessee's flower symbol in 1933.

Why is the Tennessee Walking Horse listed?

The Tennessee Walking Horse reflects a horse breed and show tradition strongly tied to the state.

How many official state symbols does Tennessee have?

Tennessee's guide includes the flag, mockingbird, iris, tulip poplar, motto, nickname, colors, milk, Tennessee Walking Horse, raccoon, shelter dogs and cats, and Barrett firearm.