Maine’s official state symbols include the black-capped chickadee (bird), the eastern white pine (tree), the moose (animal), the Maine Coon (cat), the American lobster (crustacean), the wild blueberry (berry), Moxie (beverage) and the whoopie pie (treat). This guide lists each symbol by category, with a line about why it fits Maine and links to our guides where you can see or taste it.
The state legislature designates these symbols, and it adds new ones from time to time. For the current official list, check the Maine Secretary of State or the Maine statutes.
Maine State Symbols at a Glance
- State bird: black-capped chickadee
- State tree: eastern white pine
- State flower: white pine cone and tassel
- State animal: moose
- State cat: Maine Coon
- State fish: landlocked Atlantic salmon
- State insect: honey bee
- State crustacean: American lobster
- State berry: wild blueberry
- State beverage: Moxie
- State treat: whoopie pie
- State gemstone: tourmaline
- State motto: Dirigo (“I lead”)
- State nickname: The Pine Tree State
Animals and Nature
State bird: black-capped chickadee. This small songbird stays in Maine through the winter and is named for its call. It is easy to spot at a backyard feeder, and it is one of many species on our Maine wildlife watching guide.
State tree: eastern white pine. The tall white pine is the reason Maine is called the Pine Tree State. Its trunks were once prized for ship masts.
State flower: white pine cone and tassel. Maine’s flower is not a blossom but the cone and needle cluster of the white pine, which ties it to the state tree.
State animal: moose. Maine has a large moose population, and moose are most often seen in the north and west of the state, especially around Moosehead Lake and the Rangeley region, often at dawn and dusk. See our wildlife watching guide for where to look.
State cat: Maine Coon. The Maine Coon was adopted as the state cat in 1985. It is a large, long-haired breed known for its size and its bushy tail, and it is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Stories about where the breed came from, including the one about raccoons, are legends, not history.
State fish: landlocked Atlantic salmon. This freshwater salmon lives in Maine’s lakes and is a prized catch for anglers. If you plan to fish, see our Maine fishing license guide.
State insect: honey bee. Honey bees pollinate Maine’s blueberry fields and orchards.
State butterfly: pink-edged sulphur. This small yellow butterfly is a recent addition to the list of Maine symbols.
Food and Drink
State crustacean: American lobster. Lobster is Maine’s best-known food. See our lobster roll guide, how to eat a whole lobster and best seafood in Maine.
State berry: wild blueberry. Maine is the leading producer of wild blueberries in the United States, and the berries are harvested in late summer, mostly in Washington County and the Downeast region.
State dessert: blueberry pie. It is the obvious companion to the state berry, and you will find it on dessert menus across the state in summer.
State treat: whoopie pie. Two soft chocolate cakes sandwiching a creamy filling. It is a Maine bakery staple.
State beverage: Moxie. Moxie is a bitter, gentian-flavored soft drink created by Augustin Thompson, who was born in Union, Maine. It is an acquired taste and a Maine icon. See Thompson on our list of famous people from Maine.
State sweetener: Maine maple syrup. Maple syrup is made in the spring, and many sugarhouses open to visitors on Maine Maple Sunday.
State herb: wintergreen. A low woodland plant with aromatic leaves and red berries.
Earth, Sea and Sky
State gemstone: tourmaline. Maine is known for its tourmaline, which comes largely from the western part of the state. Gem and mineral shops in the western mountains sell local stones.
State soil: Chesuncook. A soil type found across large parts of northern and central Maine.
State sailing vessel: Bowdoin. The schooner Bowdoin was built for Arctic exploration. For more on traditional sailing ships you can ride today, see our guide to Maine windjammer cruises.
Official Symbols, Songs and Mottos
- State motto: Dirigo, Latin for “I lead.”
- State nickname: The Pine Tree State.
- State flag and seal: The Maine flag and the Seal of Maine both feature a pine tree and a moose.
- State song: “The State of Maine Song,” with “My Sweet Maine” named a state song of the 21st century.
- Other musical symbols: “The Ballad of the 20th Maine” is the state ballad, and “The Dirigo March” is the state march.
State fossil: Pertica quadrifaria. An ancient land plant that lived long before the dinosaurs.
Want to see more of what makes Maine distinct? Read what Maine is known for and our best things to do in Maine.
Maine State Symbols FAQ
What is the Maine state bird?
The black-capped chickadee is the Maine state bird.
What is the Maine state cat?
The Maine Coon, adopted as the state cat in 1985.
What is the Maine state animal?
The moose is the Maine state animal.
What is the Maine state tree?
The eastern white pine is the Maine state tree, which is why Maine is known as the Pine Tree State.
What is the Maine state flower?
The white pine cone and tassel is the Maine state flower.
What is the Maine state motto?
The state motto is Dirigo, which means “I lead” in Latin.
What is the Maine state food?
Maine has several. The lobster is the state crustacean, the wild blueberry is the state berry, blueberry pie is the state dessert, the whoopie pie is the state treat, and Moxie is the state beverage.
State symbols are designated by the Maine Legislature and may change. Check the Maine Secretary of State or the Maine statutes for the current official list.