State
Bird
Eastern Goldfinch
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The
goldfinch is a migrating bird that lives in all parts of the United
States. It eats seeds from sunflowers, thistle, hemp and lettuce plants.
It is about five inches long with yellow and black feathers. It is
a very good-looking bird with a sweet song. New Jersey adopted the
goldfinch as its state bird in 1935.
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State
Flower
Violet
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The
violet grows on a plant with heart-shaped leaves that is about seven
inches tall. The flower is one of the first flowers to bloom in
the spring. It has 5 large bluish/purplish petals. In 1913 New Jersey
asked its children to pick the state flower. They picked the sunflower,
but this idea was rejected, and the violet was adopted as the state
flower instead.
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State
Tree
Red Oak
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The
red oak tree is an ornamental or shade tree that can grow about two
feet per year and reach a height of 60 to 70 feet. It has pointy leaves
with prickly tips. In the fall the leaves turn red and add to the
beauty of the landscape of New Jersey. Long ago Native Americans used
the red oak's acorns for food. The wood is used for making flooring,
furniture, coffins, boats, and farming tools. The red oak became the
state tree of New Jersey in 1950.
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State Flag
Click
on flag for larger view
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New
Jersey's state flag is buff colored. Representative Hopkins, who helped
create the flag, gave some historical background for this light yellowish
color. Buff was the color of the facings (or trim) of New Jersey's
Revolutionary soldiers' uniforms. The uniform colors were chosen by
George Washington himself.
In the center of the flag is a picture of the state seal. It was designed
by Francis Hopkinson and Eugene Du Simitiere in 1776. The seal includes
several important symbols. There is a shield with three plows on it.
They are farming tools that represent the importance of farming in
New Jersey's history. Above it is a helmet which represents sovereignty.
This means that New Jersey governs itself. On top is a horse's head.
This symbol appeared on the early coins of New Jersey. It is on the
seal because it is an animal known for its speed, strength, and usefulness
in peaceful business and in war. There are two women holding the shield.
They are goddesses of long ago. The one on the left is the goddess
of Liberty. She is holding a staff with a Phrygian cap on it. The
Phrygians were an ancient group of people who gave these caps to their
slaves when they freed them. The cap is a symbol of our freedom as
Americans. The woman on the right is Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture.
She stands for the farming products that helped make New Jersey wealthy
and successful in early times. Ceres is holding a cornucopia, which
is a symbol of the abundance of New Jersey's crops. Beneath the shield
is a ribbon that has New Jersey's state motto
on it: "Liberty and Prosperity." Liberty means freedom, and prosperity
means wealth and success. These two words were always very important
to the people of New Jersey.
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