Symbols of the Commonwealth of Virginia

	FLOWER - In 1918, the state floral emblem commonly known as the American dogwood (Cornus florida) was adopted. It was selected to foster a feeling of pride in our state and to stimulate an interest in the history and traditions of the Commonwealth
BIRD - In 1950, the General Assembly chose the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as the state bird because of its bright plumage and cheerful song. In eighteenth-century England, the cardinal was called "the Virginia nightingale." The cardinal is part of the finch family.
	TREE - In 1956, the state adopted the American dogwood as the official tree. The dogwood is well distributed throughout the Commonwealth, and its beauty is symbolic of the many attractive features of Virginia. The dogwood blooms in early spring and its blossom is a tiny cluster of flowers surrounded by four white leaves that look like petals.
DOG - In 1966, the American fox hound became the state dog. George Washington imported fox hounds into Virginia for hunting purposes. All fox hounds are descendants of these dogs. The American fox hound is also one of four breeds of American origin, the other three originating in other states. The American fox hound is a medium-sized hound trained to hunt foxes.
	INSECT - In 1991, the tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus linne) was adopted as the state insect. It is easily identified by its yellow and black, tiger-striped wings and dark tail. It is one of the most common and conspicuous butterflies of the eastern United States.
StaState Song Emeritus "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny"
The obverse side of the great seal depicts the Roman goddess Virtus representing the spirit of the Commonwealth. She is dressed as an Amazon, a sheathed sword in one hand, and a spear in the other, and one foot on the form of Tyranny, who is pictured with a broken chain in his left hand, a scourge in his right, and his fallen crown nearby, implying struggle that has ended in complete victory. Virginia’s motto, Sic Semper Tyrannis (Latin for "Thus Always to Tyrants"), appears at the bottom.
	On the reverse side of the seal are the three Roman goddesses, Libertas (Liberty) in the center holding a wand and pileus in her right hand, Aerternitas (Eternity) with a globe and phoenix in her right hand, and Ceres (Fruitfulness) with a cornucopia in her left hand and an ear of wheat in her right. At the top is the word Perservando (Latin for "by Persevering"). A border of Virginia creeper encircles the designs on each side
HOUSE OF DELEGATES MACE - The Mace is a ceremonial staff presented to the House of Delegates in 1700 by the Governor General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. Displayed in the old House chamber is an Edwardian style mace made of silver with a 24-karat gold wash. Purchased in England, it was presented to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1974 by the Jamestown Foundation. The mace is presented by the sergeant-at-arms in the current House chamber and remains each day until the House adjourns.
	The importance of the mace lies in its symbolism, which derives from English tradition. Centuries ago, the King’s bodyguard carried clubs in order to protect the royal person when traveling among the people. Gradually the club, or mace, was replaced by other more useful weapons and it became an ornament of beauty, often made of precious metals encrusted with jewels, and an object symbolic of royal authority and power. As such, it was first used in the British House of Commons.
I salute the flag of Virginia, with reverence and patriotic devotion to the ‘Mother of States and Statesmen,’ which it represents—the ‘Old Dominion,’ where liberty and independence were born."