Utah - The Beehive State

In January, Utah voted on a new state flag design. The beehive symbol not only remained from the state’s original design, but is now featured even more prominently on the new flag.

But, why? How did Utah become the Beehive State?

It is told that the state’s first settlers, pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, began importing honeybees to provide their primary source of sweetener. They also used the honeybees for a valuable source of food, medicine, and wax. Eventually, many bees - and their beehives - populated the state.

Brigham Young called the land the State of Deseret, a term derived from a word in the Book of Mormon that means “honey bee.” The symbolism in that bees work together in unison and represent industry, discipline and cooperation.

Although, later, when the territory became a state, it ended up being named after the Ute tribe instead of Young’s “Deseret.” Still, the nickname stuck and, in 1959, Utah officially become the “Beehive State.”

Besides the state flag, the beehive symbol is used in many of Utah’s state seals and other official documents. It is a powerful representation of the state’s heritage and the values that its residents hold dear.

Utah Primi captures that history and symbolism in it’s exclusive “beehive” art.