List of New York state symbols

The majority of the state symbols are officially listed in the New York Consolidated Laws in Article 6, Sections 70 through 87.

During a tour of the state's harbors, waterways, and fertile interior, George Washington referred to New York as the "Seat of Empire".

In 1980, fifth grader Kristina Savoca sent a letter – along with a petition bearing 152 signatures – to New York State Assemblyman Robert C. Wertz, urging him to introduce legislation designating the lady beetle as the official state insect.

The proposal languished for a number of years, passing in the Assembly but not being considered in the Senate.

Approval finally came in 1989, after Cornell University entomologists suggested that Wertz propose the nine-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella novemnotata, sometimes abbreviated to C-9) as the state insect because it was a native lady beetle.