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List of Maryland state symbols

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List of Maryland state symbols
Summary

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Location of the [[state of Maryland]] in the United States of America

This is a list of symbols of the U.S. state of Maryland. Most of the items in the list are officially recognized symbols created by an act of the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law by the governor. However, two of the more famous symbols of Maryland, the state motto and the state nicknames, were never made official by the state government. While the state seal derives from the colonial heritage of the state, the majority of official state symbols were designated in the last few decades.

Insignia

TypeSymbolDescriptionYearImageSource
FlagThe Flag of MarylandBanner of the Arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. While 1904 was the official date of adoption, the flag has colonial roots. Calvert was the surname of the Lords Baltimore, proprietors of the Maryland colony, and Crossland was the maiden name of the mother of George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore.1904[[File:Flag of Maryland.svg150pxborderalt=Maryland flag]]
MottoFatti maschii, parole femine
Literally: manly deeds, womanly words
Officially: strong deeds, gentle wordsThe state motto has never been formally adopted, though it was the motto of the Calvert family upon the founding of Maryland in 1634 and appears on the Great Seal of Maryland.Traditional—url=http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?gsg&13-102title=Maryland Statute §13 article 102publisher=Maryland General Assemblyaccess-date=January 26, 2011url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417063930/http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?gsg&13-102archive-date=April 17, 2011 }}
NicknamesThe Old Line StateThe Old Line State might have originated as a nickname given by George Washington during the Revolutionary War to the Maryland line of troops.Traditional—
The Free StateThe Free State originated from an editorial in the Baltimore Sun in 1923 on how Maryland should be free by seceding from the Union rather than prohibiting alcohol.
SealThe Great Seal of MarylandThe obverse side shows Lord Baltimore as a knight on a charging horse. The reverse side shows the Calvert seal, a plowman, a fisherman, the state motto and a Latin text that translates as "You have crowned us with the shield of your goodwill."1969[[File:Seal of Maryland (reverse).svg150px]]
Coat of armsThe coat of arms of MarylandThe Calvert arms, a plowman, a fisherman, the state motto and a Latin text that translates as "You have crowned us with the shield of your goodwill."[[File:Coat of arms of Maryland.svg150px]]

Species

TypeSymbolDescriptionYearImageSource
BirdBaltimore oriole
Icterus galbulaThe male's black and orange feathers are similar to the Calvert seal. This led to the bird receiving its name of Baltimore.1947[[File:Baltimore Oriole 12.jpg150pxBaltimore oriole]]
CatCalico catThe calico has tri-color fur of orange, black, and white, which are the same colors as the Calvert seal.2001[[File:Calico cat - Phoebe.jpg150pxCalico cat]]
CrustaceanBlue crab
Callinectes sapidusThe blue crab is found in the Chesapeake Bay and is the most valuable species harvested from the bay.1989[[File:Blue crab on market in Piraeus - Callinectes sapidus Rathbun 20020819-317.jpg150pxBlue crab]]
DinosaurAstrodon
Astrodon johnstoniIn 1958, the first Astrodon fossils were found in Maryland. They lived in what is now Maryland from 130 to 95 million years ago.1998[[File:Astrodon johnstoni.jpg150pxAstrodon]]
DogChesapeake Bay RetrieverNamed after the Chesapeake Bay, the retriever was developed in the United States to recover waterfowl for hunters. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County's mascot is a retriever.1964[[File:Chesapeakebayretriever01-l.jpg150pxChesapeake Bay Retriever]]
FishRock fish
Morone saxatilisThe rockfish, also called striped bass, is found in abundance in Maryland.1965[[File:Stripedbassfishing.jpg150pxRockfish]]
FlowerBlack-eyed susan
Rudbeckia hirtaA daisy with yellow petals and a dark purple center.1918[[File:Black eyed susan 20040717 110754 2.1474.jpg150pxBlack-eyed susan]]
HorseThoroughbred horse
Equus caballusThe Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing is held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.2003[[File:Thoroughbred.jpg150pxThoroughbred horse]]
InsectBaltimore checkerspot butterfly
(Euphydryas phaeton)The butterfly has orange and black colorings, which are the same colors as the Calvert seal.1973[[File:BaltimoreDS.jpg150pxBaltimore checkerspot butterfly]]
ReptileDiamondback terrapin
Malaclemys terrapinThe terrapin were abundant and easy to catch and became a gourmet food until over-harvesting depleted terrapin stocks. The University of Maryland's nickname is the "terrapins".1994[[File:Diamondback turtle adult female.jpg150pxDiamonback terrapin]]
TreeWhite oak
Quercus albaA long-lived and one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of America. It is also the state tree of Illinois and Connecticut. The Wye Oak was believed to be the largest and oldest white oak, being 540 years old until it fell during a thunderstorm in 2002.1941[[File:White Oak Tree Manchester, Maryland.jpg150pxWhite oak]]

Geology

TypeSymbolDescriptionYearImageSource
FossilEcphora gardnerae gardneraeThe shell of an extinct snail that is commonly found throughout Maryland.1994[[File:Ecphora quadricostata.jpg150pxEcphora gardnerae gardnerae]]
GemPatuxent River stone
an agateA yellow and red, almost an orange hue, quartz found only in Maryland. It is named after the Patuxent River.2004[[File:Agatetumbledriverstone.jpg150pxTumbled specimens of Patuxent River Stone]]
MineralChromiteA crystalline mineral first discovered in the Bare Hills area of Baltimore County in 1808 by Isaac Tyson Jr.2025[[File:Chromite-pas-63a.jpg150pxChromium from Baltimore]]

Culture

TypeSymbolDescriptionYearImageSource
BoatSkipjackSkipjacks would dredge the Chesapeake Bay for oysters.1985[[File:Skipjack EPA.PNG150pxSkipjack]]
CocktailOrange CrushThe Orange Crush cocktail was invented at the Harborside Bar & Grill in West Ocean City, Maryland, in 1995.2025[[File:Wes Moore holds an Orange Crush cocktail (drink crop).jpg150pxOrange Crush]]
DessertSmith Island CakeA cake with eight to fifteen layers and chocolate frosting between each layer. The recipe originated in Smith Island, Maryland.2008[[File:Smith island cake2009.jpg150px]]
DrinkMilkCow's Milk1998[[File:Milk glass.jpg150pxMilk]]
ExerciseWalkingA healthy form of physical exercise.2008[[File:Two individuals go for a hike on the Green River Road. (8ed54f57-eb6d-4f3e-8dd1-aa2a54f7c763).JPG150pxTwo people walking]]
Folk danceSquare danceA folk dance with four couples arranged in a square. As of 2011, it is the official state dance for 21 states.1994[[File:Square Dance Group.jpg150pxSquare dancers]]
SpiritRye whiskeyRye whiskey was first produced along the Chesapeake Bay in colonial times, and became popular during the American Civil War. Maryland was once the fifth largest liquor producer in the United States, but prohibition led to the industry's steady decline until the closure of Maryland's last distillery in 1972. Rye distilling would not return to the state until 2014.2023[[File:Sangfroid. Maryland Rye bottle.jpg150pxRye whiskey]]last1=Connollyfirst1=Connietitle=Moore declares rye whiskey state spiriturl=https://www.cecildaily.com/news/state_news/moore-declares-rye-whiskey-state-spirit/article_54e7bd09-1f3f-5aa6-84a6-408290f0e4ab.htmlaccess-date=May 17, 2023work=Cecil Whigdate=May 17, 2023archive-date=May 17, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517195253/https://www.cecildaily.com/news/state_news/moore-declares-rye-whiskey-state-spirit/article_54e7bd09-1f3f-5aa6-84a6-408290f0e4ab.htmlurl-status=live }}
Song (former)From 1939 to 2021, "Maryland, My Maryland", which set lyrics from a poem written by James Ryder Randall to the tune of "O Tannenbaum", was the Maryland state song. It was repealed by an act of the Maryland general assembly in 2021.1939–2021[[File:Maryland my maryland2.jpg150pxMaryland, My Maryland]]last1=Neumanfirst1=Scotttitle=Maryland Repeals State Song That Called Lincoln a 'Tyrant'url=https://www.npr.org/2021/05/20/983057655/maryland-repeals-state-song-that-called-lincoln-a-tyranturl-status=livearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928193701/https://www.npr.org/2021/05/20/983057655/maryland-repeals-state-song-that-called-lincoln-a-tyrantarchive-date=2021-09-28access-date=2021-09-08website=NPR.orgdate=20 May 2021language=en}}
Sport (individual)JoustingJousting tournaments in the form of ring tournaments have been held in Maryland since colonial times. The Maryland State Jousting Championship has been held annually since 1950 and is sponsored by the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association1962[[File:Touch of Class Awards - July 2012 1.jpg150pxJousting]]url=http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/symbols/sport.htmltitle=Maryland State Sport Jousting & Lacrossework=Maryland at a Glancepublisher=Maryland State Archivesaccess-date=January 26, 2011archive-date=May 27, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527151933/http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/symbols/sport.htmlurl-status=live }}
Sport (team)LacrosseLacrosse is the oldest known sport to be played in America. Maryland is home to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum.2004[[File:Hopkins lax.jpg150pxLacrosse]]
Summer theaterOlney Theatre CenterOlney Theatre was founded in 1938 and offers include the Summer Shakespeare Festival and summer training programs for High School students.1978[[File:Olney Theatre Interior (8434857046).jpg150pxInterior of Olney Theatre]]
TheaterCenter StageCenter Stage was founded in 1963 and is Maryland's largest theater company.1978[[File:Center Stage (theater).jpg150pxCenter Stage theater]]url=http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/symbols/html/theater.htmltitle=Maryland State Theater - Center Stage & Olney Theatrework=Maryland at a Glancepublisher=Maryland State Archivesaccess-date=January 26, 2011archive-date=January 28, 2011archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128215526/http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/symbols/html/theater.htmlurl-status=live }}

References

;General

;Specific

References

  1. "Maryland State Flag". Maryland State Archives.
  2. "Maryland Statute §13 article 102". Maryland General Assembly.
  3. "Great Seal of Maryland". Maryland State Archives.
  4. "Nicknames". Maryland State Archives.
  5. "Maryland State Bird - Baltimore Oriole". Maryland State Archives.
  6. "Maryland State Cat - Calico Cat". Maryland State Archives.
  7. "Maryland State Crustacean - Blue Crab". Maryland State Archives.
  8. "Maryland State Dinosaur - Astrodon johnstoni". Maryland State Archives.
  9. "Maryland State Dog - Chesapeake Bay Retriever". Maryland State Archives.
  10. "Maryland State Fish - Rockfish". Maryland State Archives.
  11. "Maryland State Flower - Black-eyed Susan". Maryland State Archives.
  12. "Maryland State Horse - Thoroughbred". Maryland State Archives.
  13. "Maryland State Insect - Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly". Maryland State Archives.
  14. "Maryland State Reptile - Diamondback Terrapin". Maryland State Archives.
  15. "Wye Oak". U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System.
  16. "Maryland State Tree - White Oak". Maryland State Archives.
  17. "Maryland State Fossil - Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae". Maryland State Archives.
  18. "Maryland State Gem - Patuxent River Stone". Maryland State Archives.
  19. (March 15, 2025). "Mineral bill heads toward a 'chrometastic' finish". [[Maryland Matters]].
  20. "Maryland State Boat - Skopjack". Maryland State Archives.
  21. (April 8, 2025). "Maryland lawmakers name orange crush as state cocktail, chromite as state mineral". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
  22. "Maryland State Dessert - Smith Island Cake". Maryland State Archives.
  23. "Maryland State Drink - Milk". Maryland State Archives.
  24. "Maryland State Exercise - Walking". Maryland State Archives.
  25. "Maryland State Dance - Square Dance". Maryland State Archives.
  26. (May 17, 2023). "Moore declares rye whiskey state spirit". Cecil Whig.
  27. (20 May 2021). "Maryland Repeals State Song That Called Lincoln a 'Tyrant'".
  28. "Maryland State Song - Maryland, My Maryland". Maryland State Archives.
  29. "Maryland Jousting Tournament Association".
  30. "Maryland State Sport Jousting & Lacrosse". Maryland State Archives.
  31. "Maryland State Theater - Center Stage & Olney Theatre". Maryland State Archives.
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