Each state has an official flower to serve as a symbol of the state and its people. Celebrate your state's flower today!

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State flowers are symbols, and you can often discover their meaning by investigating why they were chosen. For example, according to New Hampshire state historian Leon Anderson, the purple lilac received designation because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State" (found in a book titled Flower—Tree—Bird and also online). So in New Hampshire, the state flower is a symbol of the character of its residents. The flowers may relate state history, a feeling of state pride, or even stimulate memories for residents.

To find out your state flower and discover the story behind why it was chosen, vist these Web sites:
E-referencedesk
50 States
Netstate
Your state’s main Web site

 

Once you determine your state's flower, think about what it means to you. (If you aren't familiar with the flower, do some research on it or choose a flower you do know.)

Brainstorm words and ideas that come to mind. Include a variety of senses -- does the fragrance remind you of something? Do recall seeing or smelling the flower when you were at an event? Maybe sunflowers remind you of picnics and eating corn on the cob. Does the color evoke any special feelings?

Jot down adjectives that describe the flower. Be creative. Is it just just blue? Or is it blue like the sky on a clear summer day? Or blue like the feathers of a bluebird? Or blue like your favorite crayon? What do the petals feel like? Are they velvety? Wrinkled?

Using these words and phrases, write a poem about the flower, or use the image of the flower in a poem about something else.

Copy the poem onto a sheet of paper and decorate it with drawings of the flower or of other subjects in your poem.

Poems are meant to be read and shared! Share your poem with friends, family, and neighbors. Visit a hospital or nursing home and read your poem to patients or residents.

Using flowers as symbols isn't something reserved just for states. Flowers have been used as symbols and given meanings throughout history, and this is often referred to as the “language of flowers.” Two examples are daisies as a symbol of innocence and purity, and roses as a symbol of love.
There are many books and Web sites detailing this language, including the FTD Web site.

Other Symbols

What is a symbol? It can be defined as something that represents something else through resemblance, association, or relationship; e.g., a lion is a courageous animal, and is a symbol of courage. Brainstorm a list of symbols that we see each day, for example, traffic signs, product logos, flags.What do these represent?

What makes these symbols effective? That is, what about it suggests the idea, object, or group it represents? Why are symbols important to us? Often, they are a means of communication and identification. They evoke thoughts and feeligns. In addition to your state flower, list other state symbols(e.g., state flag, state tree, state bird).