Ranking N.C.'s 11 potential new state symbols

Not all state symbols are created equal. Here’s what actually deserves the honor

I get why legislators roll their eyes at state symbols. Yes, they can be hokey. Yes, they can feel like a waste of time. And yes, every year it seems like another bill gets filed to name the official state fungus or whatever.

But I’ve got a real soft spot for them.

State symbols are small things, but when done well, they can celebrate our great state and teach something about North Carolina that’s worth remembering. The truth is, some are a lot better than others.

Right now, there are 11 bills pending in the General Assembly to adopt new state symbols. I’d be surprised if any of them actually pass — there’s quite some burnout among lawmakers on this front, and that’s not unwarranted.

Still, it’s worth taking a look at them. Not just because it’s fun (it is), but because it forces us to ask a bigger question: What actually makes a good state symbol?

What makes a good state symbol?

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