Georgia State Symbols, Emblems, and Mascots

Georgia Symbols, Emblems, and Mascots
Atlas	"The Atlas of Georgia" 1985 Maps, graphs and photos take the measure of the state's land, waters, people, economy, and history. The Atlas of Georgia, published by the University of Georgia's Institute of Government in 1985, charts all aspects of the state in terse text and colorful graphics.
Bird	Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 1935
Bird - Game	Bobwhite Quail, 1970 Quail hunting in Georgia has long been popular with sportsmen around the world, and our state is often recognized as the "Quail Capital of the World." The quail can withstand a loss of two thirds of its population with no reduction in the spring breeding population.
Butterfly	Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) 1988
Cookoff - Beef Barbeque Championship	The Hawkinsville Civitan Club's "Shoot the Bull" barbecue championship. People from all over Georgia and surrounding states flock to this small south Georgia town to enter their tasty barbecue concoctions in this famous cook-off. The funds raised from the event benefit the Civitan International Research Center which is working toward a cure for Down's Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The funds also help disabled children in the community attend Camp Civitan during the summer.
Cookoff - Pork Barbeque Championship	Pork BarbequeChampionship In the fall of each year, the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce hosts the Slosheye Trail Big Pig Jig in Vienna, Georgia. This contest is considered the Cadillac of Barbecue contests, and teams from all over the southeastern United States compete to create the most mouth-watering pork barbecue, one of the most exquisite, treasured and relished foods in Georgia. The contest grows larger every year and has become one of the most highly anticipated festivals in the state of Georgia.
Creed	State Creed , 1939 "Accepting, as I do, the principles upon which Georgia was founded, not for self but others; -- its Democratic form of Government, based on 'Wisdom, Justice and Moderation'; --its natural resources; -- its Educational, Social and Religious advantages, making it a most desirable place to live -- I will strive to be a pure upright Citizen, rejecting the evils -- loving and emulating the good. I further believe it is my duty to defend it against all enemies, to honor and obey its laws, to apply the Golden Rule in all my dealings with my fellow Citizens. I feel a sense of pride in the history and heroic deeds accomplished by my forebears, and shall endeavor to so live that my State will be proud of me for doing my bit to make my State a better Commonwealth for future generations."
Crop	Peanut, 1995 Georgia produces nearly 50 percent of the total United States peanut crop and more than 50 percent of peanuts used in the production of peanut butter. Georgia leads the nation in peanut exports.
Dance - Folk	Square Dance
Drama - Historical	"The Reach of Song" 1990 Bluegrass, gospel, folk tales and inspiring poetry echo through an amphitheater set high in the mountains. Staged for two months each summer, "The Reach of Song" is a performance that celebrates the heritage of Appalachia. This nationally acclaimed show presents the pleasures and the sorrows of mountain life in an auditorium on the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds near Hiawassee.
Festival - Folk	Georgia Folk Festival, 1992 Thousands of delighted Georgians and tourists watch seamstresses spin yarn, blacksmiths hammer horseshoes, basket makers weave strips of white oak, and musicians play fiddles and banjos at the Georgia Folk Festival. First organized by the Georgia 4-H Foundation and the University of Georgia's Cooperative Extension Service, the annual Georgia Folk Festival introduces today's television generation to the handmade goods and joys of yesteryear.
Fish	Largmouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) March 24, 1970
Flag	State Flag, May 8th, 2003
Flower	Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata) August 18, 1916
Flower - Wild	Azalea, 1979 The azalea was chosen as Georgia's state wildflower. Many species and varieties are found across Georgia. A hardy species, they possess vibrant colored flowers blooming from March until August.
Fossil	Shark Tooth, 1976 Probably one of the most sought-after fossils by amateur collectors, the shark tooth is a relatively common fossil in the Georgia coastal plain. In fossil form, the shark tooth can be traced back 375,000,000 years. Fossilized shark teeth are found in a range of colors--from the more common blacks and grays to whites, browns, blues and reddish browns.
Fruit	Peach, 1995 Georgia grown peaches are recognized for their superior flavor, texture, appearance and nutritious qualities that promote a healthy, balanced diet. Georgia is known as the "Peach State" because of the growers' reputation for producing the highest quality fruit.
Gemstone	Quartz, 1976 It is common in Georgia and found in a wide variety of colors. The resolution making quartz the state gem cited two particular forms: the amethyst, which is mostly used in jewelry, and the clear quartz, which, when faceted, resembles the diamond. See also Citrine and Amethyst
High School	Plains High School
Insect	Honeybee (Apis mellifera) April 18, 1975
Mammal: Marine	Right Whale (Eubabalena glacialis) 1985
Mineral	Staurolite, 1976 Georgia has a wealth of minerals, among them staurolite crystals, popularly called "Fairy Crosses" or "Fairy Stones." Particularly abundant in north Georgia, the distinctively twinned, crossed crystals have been collected for generations as good luck charms.
Motto	"Wisdom, Justice & Moderation" 1914
Monument, Peanut	The peanut monument, located in Turner County, 1998 At one time, peanuts were the number one cash crop in Georgia and were largely responsible for keeping many Turner County families fed. In honor of the importance of the peanut, one of Ashburn's citizens erected what some call the "World's Largest Peanut. The monument is approximately 20 feet tall.
Museum - Art	Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, 1982 The Georgia Museum of Art is located in a 52,000 square foot, state-of-the-art building with 10 galleries, an auditorium, Figgie's Café, an audio-visual theater, an art reference library, a studio classroom, a print study room and a museum shop. This facility furthers the mission of the Georgia Museum of Art to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret works of art. Hosting a variety of culturally diverse exhibitions, approximately 20 per year, the museum draws both from its permanent collection and from other museums and private collections representing all periods of art history.
Museum, Railroad	The Historic Railroad Shops complex located in Savannah, Georgia, is among the finest remaining examples of Victorian railroad architecture and design and is the most intact antebellum railroad repair complex in the country. It was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. The complex has been maintained as a railroad and industrial heritage museum by the Coastal Heritage Society with the assistance of the City of Savannah. On site displays include antique shaft driven machinery, locomotives and railroad stock, model train layouts, the oldest portable steam engine in the United States and an operating turntable. The Historic Railroad Shops has proven to be a valuable educational experience for local public school students as well as a popular local tourist attraction.
Museum - Transportation History	The Southeastern Railway Museum occupies a 30-acre site in Duluth, Georgia, in northeast suburban Atlanta. Now in its 31st year, SRM features about 90 items of rolling stock including historic Pullman cars and classic steam locomotives. Ride in restored cabooses behind steam or diesel locomotives, stand next to the massive driving wheels of the locomotive that once pulled passenger trains to Key West on the railroad that went to sea, tour the business car that helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta, pose on the platform of the private car once used by President Warren G. Harding, and see just how green Southern Railway green can be as you walk the length of the diesel-electric locomotive that ran the point on the last Crescent before AMTRAK assumed control of the famous train.
Play - Folk Life	"Swamp Gravy" The true flavor of the South comes in a slice of life served throughout the year by "Swamp Gravy," Georgia's sensational folk play. The 1994 and 1995 Regional Designation Award winner of the Cultural Olympiad, Swamp Gravy gleans the comedy and tragedy of daily life from family stories, tall tales and folk lore from southwest Georgia. It celebrates the culture that is uniquely rural Georgia. Like its namesake, swamp gravy, the play is a delectable concoction stirred up from whatever is on hand. The region's history, folklore and talent create a tantalizing performance treat. Based on true stories, Swamp Gravy transforms Southern life into unforgettable theatre. The stories told in Swamp Gravy help animate our region's heritage by preserving the knowledge of the past in a stunning production that combines drama, song, dance and spectacle. Professionally adapted by Jo Carson, directed by Richard Geer, Ph.D. and with music by Karen Kimbrel and Steve Hacker, Swamp Gravy mixes original songs and choreography with traditional music and dance to create a grand scale stage production with a cast and crew of 100.
Poet Laureate	Bottoms was nominated for the post of Georgia Poet Laureate by the Georgia Humanities Council and selected by Governor Barnes. He will hold the title of Georgia Poet Laureate for the length of Governor Barnes' term in office. David Bottoms was born in Canton, Georgia, in 1949. His first book, Shooting Rats at the Bibb County Dump, was chosen by Robert Penn Warren as the 1979 winner of the prestigious Walt Whitman Award of the Academy of American Poets. Throughout his career, Dr. Bottoms has been singled out for a number of other honors, including an Ingram Merrill Award, the Levinson Prize of Poetry magazine, an Award in Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters (with James Dickey and Allen Ginsberg on the selection committee), and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. He is the author of five books of poetry, including Armored Hearts: Selected and New Poems and the recently released Vagrant Grace, as well as two novels. He is also a founding editor, along with noted fiction writer Pam Durban, of the literary journal Five Points, published at Georgia State University, where Dr. Bottoms is Professor of Creative Writing. He lives in Marietta with his wife, Kelly Jean Beard, and their daughter, Rachel.
'Possum	Pogo 'Possum, 1992 A friendly cartoon swamp creature comments wryly on politics and philosophy. Walt Kelly, a cartoonist and movie animator, visited the Okefenokee Swamp in 1942 and was inspired to draw some "swamp critters." Pogo Possum appeared in comic books in the early 1940's and became the star of a nationally syndicated newspaper comic strip in 1949. Declaring "We have met the enemy and he is us," Pogo poked fun at the vanity and shortcomings of people everywhere.
Poultry Capital of the World	Georgia is recognized around the world as a leader in the poultry industry. Poultry is the largest segment of Georgia agriculture and agribusiness. Chickens are the largest single agricultural commodity in the state, producing over $2.4 billion in farm income annually. The poultry industry is responsible for significant economic benefits for countless Georgians through farm income, processing and allied industries, and meetings and conventions. Each year Georgia serves as a host to the International Poultry Trade Show, the largest poultry convention in the world.
Prepared Foods	Grits, 2002 Grits are bits of ground corn or hominy which constitute a uniquely indigenous Southern food first produced by Native Americans many centuries ago. Corn is a preeminent Georgia crop grown throughout the state. Grits can be a pure and simple breakfast dish or can be incorporated into gourmet cooking through countless recipes.
Reptile	Gopher Tortoise, 1989 the gopher tortoise is one of the oldest living species native to Georgia. The gopher tortoise belongs to a group of land tortoises that originated in North America 60 million years ago. This tortoise digs burrows up to 40 feet wide and 10 feet deep providing year-round shelter from predators and inclement weather for more than three dozen other animal species. The gopher tortoise population is in decline and recent studies indicate that by the year 2000 it may not exist outside of protected areas.
State School	Plains, Georgia is one of the three National Historic Sites in the state of Georgia. In recognition of its historical significance, Plains High School was restored with the help of the people of Plains, the National Park Service and the United States Department of the Interior. The current building, which originally housed both elementary and high schools, was erected in 1921 at a cost of $50,000.00 and replaced an earlier frame structure. Plains High School was known for its model curriculum, its outstanding facilities and its dedicated faculty. The auditorium and library of Plains High School were the only non-denominational meeting facilities in Plains and were used for plays, Chautauqua performances and other community events. President James Earl Carter, Jr. and Rosalyn Carter are graduates of Plains High School and membership on its board was the first political office in which the President served.
Seal	Great Seal, 1798
Sea Shell	Knobbed Whelk, 1987
Song	"Georgia on My Mind", April 24, 1979 Lyrics by Mr. Stuart Gorrell and Music by Mr. Hoagy Carmichael
Tartan	The tartan commemorates the founding of the state of Georgia and combines elements in the design associated with its historic past. General Oglethorpe commanded the Highland Independent Company of Foot which, in 1746, wore the Black Watch tartan. Captain John Mohr' MacIntosh is remembered in the MacIntosh red. Georgia tartan is much in evidence at the annual Stone Mountain Highland Games held in Atlanta.
Theatre	The Springer Opera House, 1992 Plush seats and marble floors glow under lamp light in a Victorian theatre where legends of stage and politics have performed. Opened in 1871, the Springer Opera House in Columbus has hosted Oscar Wilde, William Jennings Bryan, Booker T. Washington, Will Rogers and scores of dramas, operas and concerts. Restored in the 1960's, the Opera House was named a National Historic Landmark in 1978. Governor Jimmy Carter proclaimed it the State Theatre of Georgia for the 1971-72 season.
Theatre - Musical	"Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival" Valdosta State College and the Jekyll Island Authority have cooperated in creating the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival, a professional repertory musical theatre company. The Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival has presented musical theatre in the Jekyll Island Amphitheatre, beginning in the summer of 1989, to increasing numbers of residents and tourists. The continuation of the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival is representative of the outstanding level of artistic activity which exists in Georgia.
Tree	Live Oak (Fagaceae Quercus virginiana) 1937
Vegetables	Vidalia Sweet Onion, 1990 Grown properly only in a small pocket of south Georgia, the Vidalia onion matures into unsurpassed sweetness in the spring. In one of nature's most delicious mysteries, the granex seed, which produces a hot onion elsewhere, grows into an onion one "can eat like an apple" in the fields around Vidalia and Glennville.
Waltz	"Our Georgia" 1951 by James Burch of Thomasville

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