What to know about Tennessee’s official state tartan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Heralding again to historical past, Tennessee State Parks not too long ago reminded those that the state does, in reality, have an official tartan. The tartan has roots throughout the Atlantic Ocean in Scotland, the place clans displayed their household colours to characterize their areas and heritage.

The Tennessee Common Meeting in 1999 adopted an official state tartan as a way to commemorate the necessary half performed by individuals of Scottish descent within the historical past of Tennessee.

A tartan was designed with colours and symbolism related to Tennessee:

• Pure white, representing the unity of the three Grand Divisions of the State of Tennessee
• Darkish inexperienced, representing the significance of agriculture to the state
• Purple, representing the state flower, the Iris
• Pink, representing the sacrifices made by Tennessee troopers and pioneers
• Darkish blue, representing the mountains of Tennessee

The State of Tennessee tartan was made official in April 1999 when former Gov. Don Sundquist allowed the Senate invoice to develop into regulation with out his signature. The official state tartan of Tennessee is listed in Tennessee Code Annotated or TCA § 4-1-323.

Earlier this month, individuals loved the annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Competition & Video games in East Tennessee, the place many descendants of Scottish settlers celebrated honored traditions and Scottish and Highland video games.

East Tennessee is also dwelling to the Scottish Society of Knoxville, which seeks “to foster curiosity within the tradition, heritage, and contributions of the Scots and Scots-Irish, and to supply venues for recognizing and celebrating their wealthy legacy,” based on the group’s web site.

Curious if your loved ones has roots and a tartan in Scotland after many generations within the Volunteer State? The Scottish Register of Tartans, which is run by the Nationwide Information of Scotland, affords search engine and threadcount info, which may be discovered right here.