North Dakota is quiet. You’ve probably heard people call it flyover country, or maybe you just think of it as the place where it gets "stupid cold" in January. But there is a weird, specific pride that comes with living on the Great Plains. It shows up in the official North Dakota state symbols. These aren't just random items picked by a committee to fill a brochure; they are tiny windows into the history of a place that was—and still is—defined by agriculture, tough winters, and a surprisingly deep connection to the land. Honestly, some of these symbols are actually pretty cool once you get past the elementary school textbook version of things.
Take the Western Meadowlark. It’s the state bird. You’ll see it on postcards and in logos across the state. But did you know North Dakota shares this bird with five other states? Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming all claim it too. It’s basically the most popular bird in the West, yet North Dakotans treat it like it’s uniquely theirs. That says something about the regional identity here. People don't care that others have it; they care that they hear that specific, bubbly whistle when they step out into a wheat field in June.
The Big Ones: The Symbols Everyone Knows
Everyone knows the State Flower. It’s the Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana). It was officially named in 1907. If you’ve ever driven down a rural gravel road in late June, you’ve seen them. They aren't those fancy, pampered roses you buy at a florist. They are hardy, thorny, and they grow in ditches. They represent the state perfectly because they can survive a drought and still look beautiful.
Then there’s the State Tree, the American Elm. This one is a bit of a tragic story. Back in the day, elms lined the streets of almost every town in North Dakota, creating these massive green tunnels. Then Dutch Elm Disease hit. It wiped out thousands of trees. While the American Elm remains the official symbol, you’ll see way more Cottonwoods or Evergreens if you actually go hiking in the Badlands or along the Missouri River today.
The State Fish is the Northern Pike. This makes sense. If you go fishing at Lake Sakakawea or Devils Lake, you’re hunting for "Northerns." They are aggressive, toothy, and they fight like crazy. It’s a blue-collar fish for a blue-collar state.
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Why the Milk?
In 1983, the legislature named Milk as the Official State Beverage.
It sounds kinda boring, right?
But North Dakota is a massive producer of dairy.
At the time, it was a move to support the local farmers.
It’s not flashy like a craft beer or a specific soda, but it’s honest.
That’s the vibe here.
The "Honorary" Symbols That Actually Matter
If you really want to understand the soul of North Dakota, you have to look at the State Grass: Western Wheatgrass.
I know, grass.
Exciting, right?
But listen—North Dakota is the "Roughrider State," and before the tractors arrived, it was a sea of grass.
Western Wheatgrass is what fed the bison.
It’s what held the soil together during the Dust Bowl.
Without this specific grass, the economy of the state wouldn't exist.
The American Quarter Horse
In 2025 and leading into 2026, there’s been a lot of renewed interest in the State Equine, which is the Nokota Horse. But wait—many people get this confused with the American Quarter Horse, which is actually the State Horse.
The Quarter Horse was designated in 1975.
It’s the quintessential ranch horse.
Fast, smart, and capable of working cattle all day.
If you go to a rodeo in Mandan or Dickinson, you aren't seeing thoroughbreds; you’re seeing these powerful, compact athletes.
The Nokota Horse is different. It’s the semi-wild horse found in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. While it’s an honorary symbol of the state's rugged past, the Quarter Horse holds the official title. It’s a distinction that ruffles feathers among some locals who want the wilder, more "native" breed to have the top spot.
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The Weird Stuff: Fossils and Fruit
Let’s talk about the State Fossil. It’s the Teredo Petrified Wood.
This is where North Dakota gets weird.
It’s not a dinosaur bone, though the state is packed with T-Rex and Triceratops fossils (check out the Heritage Center in Bismarck if you don't believe me).
Instead, they picked petrified wood that was bored into by prehistoric shipworms (mollusks).
It’s about 60 million years old.
It looks like wood, but it’s stone, and it’s full of little holes from ancient clams.
It’s unique.
No other state has a "worm-eaten wood" fossil as their symbol.
Then there’s the State Fruit, the Chokecherry.
If you’ve never had chokecherry jelly, you haven't lived.
Or, well, you haven't lived in the Midwest.
Raw chokecherries are bitter. They literally "choke" you because they are so tart.
But you add enough sugar, and it’s the best thing you’ll ever put on a pancake.
The state even has a Chokecherry Festival in Williston every year.
The Symbols of the Land and Soil
North Dakota is one of the few states that actually has an Official State Soil.
It’s called Williams Soils.
It covers over two million acres in the state.
It’s productive, dark, and rich.
To a farmer, this is more important than the state bird or the state flag.
It’s the literal foundation of their life.
And then there’s the State Bird, which we mentioned earlier. But did you know there is also a State Motto?
"Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable."
It’s a heavy, serious line.
It was adopted during the Civil War era when North Dakota was still part of the Dakota Territory.
It reflects a time when the very idea of being a "state" was tied to the survival of the country.
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Misconceptions and Forgotten Symbols
A lot of people think the Bison is the state animal.
It’s not.
The Bison is the national mammal of the United States, and it’s the state animal of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
North Dakota doesn't actually have an official "State Mammal."
We have the Honorary State Equine (the Nokota Horse) and the State Horse (the Quarter Horse), but no official state mammal like a deer or a bison.
It’s a weird oversight considering how many buffalo roam through Medora.
The State March
Most people couldn't hum the State March if you paid them.
It’s called the "Spirit of the Land," written by James D. Ployhar.
It’s usually played at official inaugurations or very formal state events.
Compared to the State Song ("North Dakota Hymn"), it’s a bit more upbeat, but it still feels very "Old World."
The State Dance
In 2026, people are still debating whether the Square Dance should stay as the Official American Folk Dance of the state.
It was adopted in the 90s when square dancing was having a bit of a revival.
Is it still relevant?
Maybe not to the kids in Fargo, but in rural grange halls, it’s still a staple.
How to Experience These Symbols Today
If you actually want to see these symbols in the wild, you shouldn't stay in the cities.
Fargo is great for tech and food, but to see the Wild Prairie Rose or the Western Meadowlark, you need to get out onto the Enchanted Highway or into the Sheyenne National Grassland.
- Visit the State Capitol in Bismarck: The "Skyscraper of the Prairies" has displays on almost all of these symbols.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park: This is the only place to see the Nokota Horses (the honorary equine) in their natural habitat.
- The Heritage Center: You can see the Teredo Petrified Wood and learn why shipworms are a big deal in a landlocked state.
- Local Diners: Seriously. Go to a small-town diner in August and ask if they have anything made with Chokecherries.
North Dakota’s symbols are a mix of the practical and the poetic.
They represent a place that doesn't feel the need to show off.
The symbols are rugged.
They are durable.
They are, much like the people who live there, built to survive.
Actionable Steps for Exploring North Dakota's Identity
If you're planning a trip or just curious about the North Dakota state symbols, here is how you can actually engage with them beyond just reading a list:
- Check the bloom cycle: If you want to see the Wild Prairie Rose, plan your visit for late June. By August, they’re mostly gone, replaced by rose hips.
- Birding at sunrise: To hear the Western Meadowlark, you need to be out in the grasslands at dawn. They are most vocal in the early morning hours during the spring.
- Rockhounding: You can actually find Teredo Petrified Wood in the western part of the state. Check local regulations, but many areas allow for small-scale collecting on private land with permission.
- Support local dairy: Since Milk is the state drink, visit a local creamery like Pride Dairy in Bottineau. It's one of the last traditional creameries in the state and offers a real taste of North Dakota agriculture.
- Read the Soil Maps: If you are a gardener or into land management, look up the USDA soil surveys for the "Williams" series to see if you're standing on the official state soil. It’s a geeky but fascinating way to connect with the geography.