State Symbols

State Animal:  The beaver

State Fish:  The brook trout

State Insect:  The ladybug

State Flower:  Rose 

State Tree:  Sugar Maple

State Fruit:  Apple

State Beverage:  Milk

State Muffin:  The Apple Muffin

State Fossil:  The sea scorpion

State Shell:  The bay scallop

State Song:  "I Love New York" written by Steve Karmen

Motto:  Excelsior--which means "Ever Upward."

Origin of State Name:  The state was named in the 1660s for the duke of York, later King James II of England.

Nickname for State:  The Empire State.  The nickname, attributed to George Washington, refers to the state's wealth and variety of resources.

Nickname for residents:  New Yorkers