The Maryland Flag: A Symbol of Healing
Marylanders are a unique bunch! We take our state flag seriously. Very seriously. Our iconic flag adorns not only flag poles, but socks, shoes, shirts, beanies, scarves and, in the case of our Interpretive Programs Manager, even purses, handbags, and her water bottle. But have you ever stopped to wonder about the history of our flag and why it stands out compared to the flags of the other 49 states?
Maryland Day (March 25th) is special to the people of Southern Maryland. It was on this day in St. Mary’s County in 1634 that the Ark and the Dove landed at St. Clement’s Island, marking the birth of our state. While Maryland’s history is nearly 400 years old, our state flag is much younger and underwent a significant journey before becoming the official banner we fly today.
The Maryland flag is a masterpiece of heraldry, uniquely composed of two different coats of arms:
The Calvert Family (Gold and Black): These were the colors of George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore. The vertical bars and diagonal band represent the “Maryland colors” used by the state’s founders.
The Crossland Family (Red and White): These colors belong to the family of Alicia Crossland, the mother of the first Lord Baltimore. The “cross bottony” design in these quadrants adds that unmistakable Maryland flair.
Did you know that the Maryland flag is one of only four state flags that don’t feature the color blue? We join Alabama, California, and New Mexico in this distinction!
So, how did we get to this hybrid flag? During the Civil War, Maryland was a state divided. Union-leaning Marylanders often identified with the gold and black Calvert colors, while those sympathizing with the Confederacy adopted the red and white Crossland colors as a mark of distinction. In both cases, soldiers were looking to identify what side of the war they were on while still highlighting their ties to Maryland.
After the Civil War, steps were taken to bring the state back together, and that included piecing together a state flag that reunited the yellow and black with the red and white. This “reunion” served as a powerful symbol of a state coming back together, merging once-opposing emblems into a single, unified banner. Gwen Bankins, President of the Board of Trustees for Historic Sotterley, says it perfectly when she states that the Maryland flag is a symbol of healing. It represents how a state divided can come together again.
While the design was officially adopted by the General Assembly in 1904, it took several more decades to refine the laws surrounding its use. In 1939, the Maryland General Assembly passed comprehensive legislation that officially standardized the flag’s proportions and protocols. This move in 1939 wasn’t just about red tape; it was about ensuring that our “perfect state flag” was treated with the dignity and consistency it deserved as Maryland grew into the modern era.
Historic Sotterley serves as a microcosm of the state’s history. Located in the mother county of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Sotterley interprets more than 300 years of Maryland’s history, spanning long before the flag’s official adoption to today. Visit us when our 2026 guided tour season opens on May 2nd to experience the history for yourself.