Home · States · North Carolina · State Symbols
NCNorth Carolina State Symbols
North Carolina's official symbols
Nickname
The Tar Heel State / Old North State
State bird
Northern Cardinal
State flower
American Dogwood
State tree
Pine
State motto
Esse quam videri ("To be, rather than to seem")
State song
The Old North State
Capital
Raleigh
Statehood year
1789
About state symbols
Every US state has officially designated symbols — usually a bird, flower, tree, motto, and song — chosen to represent the state's identity, history, or natural environment. These symbols often appear on state license plates, state quarters, government seals, and tourism materials.
How North Carolina got its nickname
North Carolina is best known as "The Tar Heel State." The nickname reflects the state's signature feature — and North Carolina has multiple official and unofficial nicknames.
Symbols and nicknames in the daily puzzle
Statedoku features state nicknames as recurring constraints — learn them all in a few weeks.
Play today's puzzle →