State Symbols

Montana's official symbols highlight plants, animals, landscapes, and cultural items that help tell the story of the state-from the bitterroot flower and grizzly bear to the state song, license plate, and gemstones.

Over many decades, students, teachers, and community groups have worked with the state legislature to choose these symbols and make them official in law, so that people can learn about Montana's history, economy, and natural environment through familiar icons.

Explore Montana's Official Symbols

Each link below leads to a page that explains one symbol, how it was chosen, and what it represents. You can use these pages for research projects, reports, or to create your own "Montana symbols" poster or slideshow.

Montana State License Plate
Montana State Quarter
Sounds in Montana
State Animal: Grizzly Bear
State Berry: Huckleberry
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
State Butterfly: Mourning Cloak
State Fish: Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout
State Flag
State Flower: Bitterroot
State Fossil: Duck-billed Dinosaur
State Gemstones: Sapphire and Agate
State Grass: Bluebunch Wheatgrass
State Name
State Seal
State Soil
State Song
State Tree: Ponderosa Pine

Updated: February 2, 2026