Washington State Symbols

Washington symbols include the Willow Goldfinch, coast rhododendron, western hemlock, orca, and Evergreen State nickname.

Abbreviation Guide

Olympia

Capital

1889

Statehood

Symbols

Overview

Washington's orca and western hemlock are two of the state's most recognized official state symbols — one tied to Puget Sound and one to the forests that earned the Evergreen State nickname. The Willow Goldfinch, coast rhododendron, George Washington portrait flag, Olympic marmot, and coffee designation round out a list shaped by coast, rainforest, and mountain country.

Best-known symbol Evergreen State

Oldest in this guide Coast Rhododendron, 1892

Only state with this drink Coffee

Washington State Symbols — Complete List

Category	Official Symbol	Adopted
State Flag	Washington State Flag	1923
State Bird	American Goldfinch Spinus tristis	1951
State Flower	Coast Rhododendron Rhododendron macrophyllum	1959
State Tree	Western Hemlock Tsuga heterophylla	1947
State Motto	Al-ki Chinook	1889
State Nickname	The Evergreen State	—
State Seal	Great Seal of Washington	1889
Coat Of Arms	Washington State Coat of Arms	1889
Endemic Mammal	Olympic marmot Marmota olympus	2009
State Marine Mammal	Orca Orcinus orca	2005
State Beverage	Coffee	2011
State Colors	Green and Gold	—
State Fossil	Columbian Mammoth Mammuthus columbi	1998
License Plate Slogan	The Evergreen State	1923
State Soil	Tokul Soil Series	2010

Map of Washington

Washington is a state in the West United States, with its capital city in Olympia.

Full interactive map

What Does Washington Mean?

Washington is named for George Washington, the first president of the United States. It is the only U.S. state named for a president.

The name shows up literally on the state flag, which places Washington's portrait on a green field. Around that presidential name, the rest of the hub becomes much more local: Evergreen forests, Puget Sound orcas, Olympic marmots, coast rhododendron, and coffee culture.

Washington's postal abbreviation is WA, and residents are Washingtonians. The state does not have an officially adopted motto, though Alki remains an important territorial-era word.

Key Meaning and Background

Origin: Named for George Washington, the first U.S. president.
Statehood: Washington became the 42nd state in 1889.
Unique point: It is the only U.S. state named for a president.

Usage Examples and Context

State: Refers to Washington state in the Pacific Northwest, not Washington, D.C.
People: People from Washington are called Washingtonians.
Motto status: Washington has no officially adopted state motto, though Alki is historically associated with the territory.

Nicknames and Short Forms

The Evergreen State: The common nickname points to the state's year-round conifer forests.
Abbreviation: WA; older short form Wash.

Newest and Oldest Symbols

Oldest listed Washington State Coat of Arms, 1889

Older symbols tend to anchor the state's public identity: flag, bird, flower, motto, or nickname.

Newest listed Coffee (2011), Tokul Soil Series (2010)

Recent designations often show how states keep adding wildlife, foods, breeds, and cultural traditions.

What Washington's Symbols Say About the State

The Evergreen State nickname, western hemlock, and green state flag make forests the hub's easiest first read.

The animal symbols are more geographically specific. The orca belongs to Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, while the Olympic marmot lives only in the Olympic Mountains.

Washington's coffee designation keeps the page from becoming only a nature guide. It names an everyday urban and economic culture that fits Seattle and the broader state in a way no generic drink symbol would.

Quick Answers

What national parks are in Washington?

Washington has 3 national parks: Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park.

What is the Washington state abbreviation?

The Washington postal abbreviation is WA — the two-letter USPS code used on addresses and forms since 1963.

What is Washington's most famous state symbol?

The Evergreen State nickname is the most direct shorthand because it matches Washington's forests and the green field of the state flag.

What is Washington's state bird?

Washington's state bird is the Willow Goldfinch, commonly known today as the American Goldfinch.

What is Washington's state flower?

Washington's state flower is the coast rhododendron, adopted in 1892.

Does Washington have an official state motto?

Washington has never officially adopted a state motto. Alki is historically associated with the territory, but it is not an official motto.

How many official state symbols does Washington have?

Washington's state symbols list here includes the flag, Willow Goldfinch, coast rhododendron, western hemlock, Evergreen State nickname, colors, coffee, orca, Olympic marmot, and Alki motto page.