The
state of Arizona has numerous symbols, many of which are officially recognized after a law passed by the
state legislature, and were adopted in the 20th century. The first symbol was the motto, which was made official in 1864 for the
Arizona Territory. Arizona became the second state to adopt a "state firearm" after
Utah adopted the
Browning M1911.[1]
The
flag of Arizona does not contain a state seal but consists of 13 rays of red and gold (the
conquistador colors of the
flag of Spain) on the top half, representing the original 13 American colonies, as well as symbolizing Arizona's picturesque sunsets. There is a
copper colored star in the center representing
Arizona's copper-mining industry. The rest of the flag is colored blue, representing liberty.[2]
The Great Seal of the State of Arizona is ringed by the words "Great Seal of the State of Arizona" on the top, and 1912 the year of Arizona's statehood, on the bottom. The motto Ditat Deus (
Latin: "God Enriches"), lies in the center of the seal. In the background is a range of mountains with the sun rising behind the peaks
^Unofficial nicknames include: the Apache State, the Aztec State, the Baby State, the Copper State, the Valentine State, Italy of America, the Sand Hill State, and the Sunset State.[citation needed]
^The Arizona treefrog was chosen by students around Arizona. The students studied 800 species in an effort to select four finalists for every category. Three other amphibians were considered: the
Colorado River toad,
red-spotted toad, and the
spadefoot toad.
^The Apache trout was chosen by students around Arizona. The students studied 800 species in an effort to select four finalists for every category. Three other fish were considered: the
Colorado River squawfish, the
desert pupfish, and the
bonytail chub.
^The ring-tailed cat was chosen by students around Arizona. The students studied 800 species in an effort to select four finalists for every category. Three other mammals were considered: the
whitetail deer, the
desert bighorn sheep, and the
javelina.