California State Tartan

California Tartan

Adopted in 2001

Enacted by legislation in 2001, the California Tartan recognizes the contributions to California by residents of Scottish ancestry. The legislation also stated that the official State Tartan may be claimed by any resident of the state.

The tartan is based on the Muir Clan tartan to honor the great naturalist John Muir. However, it is original enough to be registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority as California State District Tartan Number 200111 and with the Scottish Tartans Society as Tartan 2454.

The official State Tartan is described as a pattern or sett consisting of alternate squares of meadow green and pacific blue that are separated and surrounded by narrow charcoal bands. The squares of meadow green are divided by a gold seam that is supported by charcoal lines on each side. There are three redwood stripes, the middle of which is broader, that are added to each side of the gold seam. The pacific blue square is divided by a sky blue stripe, which is supported on each side by charcoal lines.

The tartan's blue reflects the sky, the ocean, and the state' s rivers and lakes, while the green stands for the state's mountains, fields, and parks. The red, gold, and blue seams signify the arts, sciences, agriculture, and industry of California.

California State Tartan: California Tartan

Official California State Tartan registered and accepted as such by The Scottish Tartans Society and entered in The Registry of All Known Tartans as TS 2454 on the 3rd of June, 1998. Registered, as well, by The Scottish Tartans Authority as Tartan 200111 and The World Registry of Tartans. Duly enacted by the California Assembly unanimously, and signed by Governor Gray Davis on July 23, 2001. It is estimated, based on US Census data, that there are up to 5,000,000 Californians with some Scots ancestry residing in the state.

California Law

The law designating the tartan as the official California state tartan is found in the California Government Code, specifically Title 1, Division 2, Chapter 2, Section 424.3.

Government Code - GOV
TITLE 1. GENERAL [100 - 7914]
( Title 1 enacted by Stats. 1943, Ch. 134. )

DIVISION 2. STATE SEAL, FLAG, AND EMBLEMS [399 - 447]
( Division 2 enacted by Stats. 1943, Ch. 134. )

CHAPTER 2. State Flag and Emblems [420 - 429.9]
( Chapter 2 enacted by Stats. 1943, Ch. 134. )

424.3.

(a) The tartan defined in subdivision (b) is the official State Tartan, and may be claimed by any resident of the state.

(b) The official State Tartan is generally described as a pattern or sett consisting of alternate squares of meadow green and pacific blue that are separated and surrounded by narrow charcoal bands. The squares of meadow green are divided by a gold seam that is supported by charcoal lines on each side. There are three redwood stripes, the middle of which is broader, that are added to each side of the gold seam. The pacific blue square is divided by a sky blue stripe, which is supported on each side by charcoal lines.

The tartan is specifically defined by the following weave code:

Y..B..G..S..G...S..G..S..G..B..A..B..K...  Ancient Colors

8...2..20..4..20..8..20..4..20..32..56..2...8...  Full Pivots

This weave code means that the threads begin with 8 threads of yellow, followed by 2 threads of black, 20 threads of green, 4 threads of scarlet, 20 threads of green, 8 threads of scarlet, 20 threads of green, 4 threads of scarlet, 20 threads of green, 32 threads of black, 56 threads of azure, 2 threads of black, and 8 threads of sky blue. At that point the weave pivots and returns, beginning with 2 threads of black, and continuing the sequence in reverse order through 8 threads of yellow, at which point it pivots back again.
(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 100, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)