TEXAS SYMBOLS

The Lone Star Sate is often referred to by Texans as God's Country, & I'm proud to say that's where I'm from!

G.T.T. - Early 1800's. - In the early 1800's, people would find the initials G.T.T. carved on their families' and friends' doors.  Texas was the place to go, it was a sanctuary for outlaws, a place to start all over again.  The letters G.T.T. Stand for "Gone To Texas." The initials GTT came into use in the first half of the 19th century, when Texas had the reputation for producing and harboring outlaws.  The letters were often chalked on the doors of houses in the Southern states to tell where the occupants had gone, but the exact date at which they came to be a synonym for "at outs with the law" is not known.  Frederick Law Olmsted, in his Journey Through Texas (1857), says that residents of other states appended the initials to the name of every rascal who skipped out, and that in Texas many newcomers were suspected of having left home for some "discreditable reason."  In 1884 Thomas Hughes, in the preface of his book G.T.T., observed, "When we want to say that it is all up with some fellow, we just say, "G.T.T." as you'd say, "gone to the devil," or "gone to the dogs."

Pledge to the Texas Flag - Adopted in 1933. In 1933 the legislature passed a law establishing rules for the proper display of the flag and providing for a pledge to the flag: "Honor the Texas Flag of 1836; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible." The pledge erroneously referred to the 1836 national flag, known as David G. Burnet's flag, instead of the Lone Star Flag. Senator Searcy Bracewell introduced a bill to correct this error in 1951, but the legislature did not delete the words "of 1836" until 1965.  The pledge of allegiance to the Texas state flag is:

Reverse of the Texas State Seal - Adopted in 1961 by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Custodians of the Alamo.  They proposed a design for the reverse of the state seal that was adopted by the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Called Session. Governor Price Daniel approved this concurrent resolution on August 26, 1961. Sarah R. Farnsworth designed the art for the seal's reverse. This design was unusual because the legislature adopted the art itself as the reverse of the state seal, as opposed to the usual practice of adopting a description, or blazon, which is later rendered by an artist. The legislature's concurrent resolution adopting the seal's reverse also contained a description of the art. Unfortunately, the description in the concurrent resolution disagreed in some respects with the art, and the art itself suffered from minor inaccuracies.

State Motto - "Friendship." Tejas is the Indian word for Friendship. Texas owes its name to the Caddo tribe - and the Spaniards.  During the Spanish exploration of Texas in the 1540s, the Spaniards met the Hasnai Caddo tribe in present-day East Texas. the Native Americans used the word "tayshas" for "friends" or "allies." In Spanish, the translation came out as tejas.  Eventually, Tejas became Texas.  This symbol was adopted in 1930, House Concurrent Resolution No. 22, 41st Legislature, 4th Called Session (1930)

State Designation - "Texans/Texians" (tek'se-ans) adj.  A citizen or the culture of the Texas section of the province of Coahuila y Texas, Republic of Mexico or the subsequent Republic of Texas.  As president of the Republic, Mirabeau B. Lamar used the term to foster nationalism.  Early colonists and leaders in the Texas Revolution, many of whom were influential during the Civil War and who were respected as elder statesmen well into the 1880s, used Texian in English and Texienne in French.  However, in general usage after annexation, Texan replaced Texian.  The Texas Almanac still used the term Texian as late as 1868.

State Flag - Lone Star Flag. Today's flag of Texas was first adopted in 1839 as the national flag of the Republic of Texas. As such, it was the fourth of the Six National Flags of Texas.  The state flag is a rectangle that has a width to length ratio of two to three. It contains one blue vertical stripe that has a width equal to one-third the length of the flag, and two equal horizontal stripes, with the upper stripe white, the lower stripe red, and each having a length equal to two-thirds the length of the flag. The flag has one white, regular five-pointed star. The five-pointed star is located in the center of the blue stripe, oriented so that one point faces upward, and sized so that the diameter of a circle passing through the five points of the star is equal to three-fourths the width of the blue stripe. The flag's colors have a symbolic meaning, as does the flag of the United States.  The blue stands for loyalty, the white represents strength, and the red stands for bravery. The Texas State flag is the ONLY flag that is allowed to be flown at the same height as the American flag.

"The Lone Star Flag was adopted by the Texas Congress in 1839. Senator William H. Wharton introduced a bill on December 28, 1838, containing the flag's design, and the bill was referred to a committee consisting of Senator Oliver Jones and two unnamed senators. This committee reported a substitute bill embodying the flag design introduced by Wharton, and the substitute bill was passed by the Congress on January 21, 1839 and approved by President Mirabeau B. Lamar on January 25, 1839." The flag was later adopted as the state flag when Texas became the 28th state in 1845.  Early designs of the flag are attributed to many Texans including Joanna Troutman, Sarah Dodson, Charles Bellinger Stewart, and Peter Krag.

State Tree - Pecan.  Adopted in 1919 by Chapter 97 (Senate Bill No. 317), 36th Legislature, Regular Session (1919)*click for a larger pic*

 

State Flower - The Bluebonnet.  Also known as LUPINUS SUBCARNOSUS, and LUPINUS TEXENSIS.  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 10, 27th Legislature, Regular Session (1901) The Texas State Flower Song, "Bluebonnets"

When the pastures are green in the springtime And the birds are singing their sonnets, You may look to the hills and the valleys And they’re covered with lovely Bluebonnets. Blue is the emblem of loyalty, They’re as blue as the deep, deep sea, Their smiling faces bring gladness, For they bloom for you and for me. Bluebonnets, so gorgeous and stately, In your mantle of blue and of green, In the spring when you’re in your full glory, You’re the loveliest sight ever seen. You’re beautiful when you sway in the sunshine, You look like waves of the sea, Ah, Texas was wise in her choice of a flow’r, So we offer our homage to thee. Chorus: Bluebonnets, blue lovely Bluebonnets, More beautiful than all the rest. Texas chose you for her flower, And we love you best, Bluebonnets. words and music by Julia D. Booth and Lora C. Crockett

Adoption of the State Song The bluebonnet was the state flower but, in 1929, the Texas Legislature adopted an official state song that doesn't even mention this important symbol of The Lone Star State. It is not certain if this omission was their inspiration but, in Chappell Hill, two women wrote a song called "Bluebonnets". Julia D. Booth wrote the lyrics for a song composed by her friend and piano teacher Lora C. Crockett. Taking the "Bluebonnets" by the horns, these two women from Chappell Hill, along with Alice C. Routt, headed to Austin with a copy of their song. On February 8, 1933, State Representative R.A. Fuchs of Brenham introduced House Concurrent Resolution No. 24 proposing that "Bluebonnets" be named the Texas state flower song. To sweeten the pot, the Texas lawmakers were then treated to a rendition of this "beautiful song" by Alice Routt. House Concurrent Resolution No. 24 was passed by the Regular Session of the 43rd Legislature and Texas added a second official element to their bluebonnet legacy. Since 1933, Texas has added another variety of bluebonnet as official flower and adopted an official Texas bluebonnet tartan. Ennis has become the official bluebonnet city and home to the official bluebonnet trail. In 1997 the Chappell Hill (population about 600) Bluebonnet Festival was named the official state bluebonnet festival.

State Bird - Mockingbird. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8, 40th Legislature, Regular Session (1927)

State Reptile - HORNED LIZARD. House Concurrent Resolution No. 141, 73rd Legislature, Regular Session (1993)

UNOFFICIAL State Bird - The "Skeeter" (or Mosquito) Adopted God knows when!

UNOFFICIAL State Pest - The Fire Ant.  Adopted God knows when!

State Small Mammal - Armadillo. House Concurrent Resolution No. 178, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995)

*click me for larger pic*

State Song - "Texas Our Texas." The Texas state song was written by William J. Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright.  It was the winner of a state wide contest in 1929 and was adopted in 1929 by the Texas Legislature as the state song.  The words to the song have been changed once since it was written.  In the third line, the word "boldest" replaced the word "largest" after Alaska became a state. *See bottom of page for lyrics*

State Dish - Chili. (NO Beans!) House Concurrent Resolution No. 18, 65th Legislature, Regular Session (1977)

Dinosaur: Brachiosaur Sauropod, & Pleurocoelus.  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 57, 75th Legislature, Regular Session (1997)

Fiber/Fabric: Cotton. House Concurrent Resolution No. 228, 75th Legislature, Regular Session (1997)

Plant: Prickly Pear Cactus. House Concurrent Resolution No. 44, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995)

Pepper: Jalapeno. House Concurrent Resolution No. 105, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995)

Native Pepper: Chiltepin. House Concurrent Resolution No. 82, 75th Legislature, Regular Session (1997)

Shrub: Crape Myrtle. House Concurrent Resolution No.14, 75th Legislature, Regular Session (1997)

Flower Song: "BLUEBONNETS" House Concurrent Resolution No. 24, 43rd Legislature, Regular Session (1933)

Pastries: SOPAIPILLA and STRUDEL. House Concurrent Resolution No. 92, 78th Legislature, Regular Session (2003) [Designated until January 31, 2005]

Plays: "THE LONE STAR, TEXAS," "BEYOND THE SUNDOWN", "FANDANGLE." Chapter 310 (Senate Bill No. 93), 66th Legislature, Regular Session (1979)

Sport: Rodeo.  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6, 41st Legislature, First Called Session (1929)

Vegetable: Sweet Onion.  House Concurrent Resolution No. 148, 75th Legislature, Regular Session (1997)

State Fish - Guadalupe Bass. House Concurrent Resolution No. 61, 71st Legislature, Regular Session (1989)

State Folk Dance - Square Dance. House Concurrent Resolution No. 153, 72nd Legislature, Regular Session (1991) *Web Mistress note: Personally, I think its a toss- up between the square dance and the 2-step*

State Fruit - Texas Red Grapefruit. House Concurrent Resolution No. 75, 73rd Legislature, Regular Session (1993)

State Gem - Texas Blue Topaz. House Concurrent Resolution No. 12, 61st Legislature, Regular Session (1969) *click pic for larger view* Gemstone pic courtesy of Randy Chambers of Chambers Jewelers.  Visit their Texas Rocks, Texas Style section.

Gemstone Cut: LONE STAR CUT. House Concurrent Resolution No. 75, 73rd Legislature, Regular Session (1993)

State Grass - Sideoats Grama.  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 31, 62nd Legislature, Regular Session (1971)

State Seashell - Lightning Whelk. House Concurrent Resolution No. 75, 70th Legislature, Regular Session (1987)

State Large Mammal - Longhorn Steer. House Concurrent Resolution No. 178, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995) *Click me for a larger pic*

State Flying Mammal: MEXICAN FREE-TAILED BAT.  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 95, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995)

State Insect - "Monarch Butterfly." Yes, we finally have a State Insect!  NO, it is NOT the fire ant or the mosquito, contrary to popular belief. It is the unique Monarch butterfly, unique in that it is the ONLY butterfly to NOT hibernate!  Instead, the Monarch migrates in the changing seasons.  In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the monarchs of North America. They travel up to three-thousand miles twice a year: South in the Fall and North in the Spring.  To avoid the long, cold northern winters, monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains winter along the California coast.  Those east of the Rockies fly south to the mountain forests of Mexico. Unlike migrating birds and whales, however, individual monarchs only make the round-trip once.  It is their great-grandchildren that return South the following fall.  It goes through 4 stages in its life - beginning as a tiny egg, growing into a black, yellow and white striped caterpillar (larva) which sheds its skin as many as 4 times as it grows to its mature length of nearly 2 inches.  It then forms a chrysalis (pupa) which is shiny green and speckled with gold, before becoming the beautiful a beautiful black and orange butterfly.  The entire process takes about a month.  It is indeed one of the most Royal of butterflies. House Concurrent Resolution No. 94, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995) *Click me for a larger pic*

State Air Force - COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE  formerly known as the Confederate Air Force.  Located at Midland International Airport.  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 114, 71st Legislature, Regular Session (1989)

State Ship: The Battleship Texas.  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 101, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995)

Snack: TORTILLA CHIPS AND SALSA. House Concurrent Resolution No. 16, 78th Legislature, Regular Session (2003)

State Stone: Petrified Palmwood.  House Concurrent Resolution No. 12, 61st Legislature, Regular Session (1969)

Railroad: TEXAS STATE RAILROAD House Concurrent Resolution No. 34, 78th Legislature, Regular Session (2003)

Tartan: TEXAS BLUEBONNET House Concurrent Resolution No. 242, 71st Legislature, Regular Session (1989)

State Musical Instrument -  Guitar. House Concurrent Resolution No. 23, 75th Legislature, Regular Session (1997)

Texas Folklore - "The Jackalope" Tales of Jackalope sightings date back more than 100 years.  But it's believed the first "real" Jackalope -- a cross between a rabbit and a pygmy deer -- was fashioned in 1939 by taxidermist Doug Herrick of Douglas, Wyoming.  Although the people of Wyoming claim Douglas the "Home of the Jackalope," sightings have been reported in Texas, Colorado, Nebraska and parts of Appalachian country.

Songs that are Uniquely Texas, courtesy of Lone Star Junction.

Not responsible for the semi-cheesiness of the midi's listen at your own risk!  Be thankful we picked the "best" of them!

"Texas our Texas"

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