Quick Answer
-
Crossword clue: “Symbol on Hawaii’s license plate”
-
Answer: RAINBOW – 7 letters
-
Clue number and direction: 15 Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Symbol on Hawaii’s license plate” is answered with RAINBOW (7 letters) in the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini.
Why RAINBOW Is the Right NYT Answer
Hawaii’s standard license plates famously feature an arching rainbow across the top, making RAINBOW the literal visual symbol referenced by the clue. The Mini needs a 7-letter entry, and RAINBOW fits that count exactly.
Crossword helper pages and the official Mini solution list confirm that 15-Across on February 14, 2026 is RAINBOW, so there’s no competing option that matches both the image and the letter length.
What RAINBOW Means
A rainbow is an arc of colored light in the sky caused when sunlight is refracted and reflected through raindrops. In Hawaii, rainbows are common and are strongly associated with the islands’ natural beauty and the nickname “Rainbow State.”
That’s why the state chose a rainbow as a key visual element on its license plates, turning the natural phenomenon into an instantly recognizable symbol.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
Clues like this often point to a visual emblem rather than a text label, so think of what you’d actually see on the plate, flag, or logo. For state-related clues, common answers include RAINBOW, BEAR, STAR, PINE, or SUN depending on the place.
If you see a 7-letter pattern like R_A_N_O_ with a Hawaii-themed clue, RAINBOW should jump to mind once a few crossings are in place.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Count, and Crossings
In the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini, the slot for “Symbol on Hawaii’s license plate” is 7 letters long, which matches RAINBOW perfectly. In the grid, it fills as:
-
R A I N B O W
Crossings from Downs (such as NORTH, BRAVER, ORBITED, RHODES, COWED, NURSE in this Mini) confirm each letter, so once you have RAIN– in place, you can confidently finish it as RAINBOW. This type of long visual-symbol entry is less “crosswordese” than short fill, but RAINBOW does recur in NYT puzzles in state or weather contexts.
Complete February 14, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down)
Here are the key answers from the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Org. with a Slam Dunk Contest | NBA | 3 |
| Menacing creature in “The Lord of the Rings” | ORC | 3 |
| Spherical shape | ORB | 3 |
| Greek “r” | RHO | 3 |
| Symbol on Hawaii’s license plate | RAINBOW | 7 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| More courageous | BRAVER | 6 |
| Went around the world? | ORBITED | 7 |
| Colossus of ___, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World | RHODES | 6 |
| Intimidated | COWED | 5 |
| Virginia governor Spanberger | ABIGAIL | 7 |
