From the California State Library: California Tartan
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.
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