Maryland state symbols represent the state’s history, wildlife, plants, traditions, and identity. From the colorful Maryland flag and Baltimore Oriole to the Black-Eyed Susan and Chesapeake Bay Retriever, these official emblems give Maryland a collection of recognizable symbols with different stories and purposes.
This guide covers the main Maryland state symbols in one place, along with useful facts about the state bird, flower, dog, tree, fish, insect, reptile, crustacean, boat, sport, flag, and Great Seal. It also explains the difference between Maryland symbols and Baltimore symbols.
The information is useful for students, teachers, parents, kids, school projects, worksheets, coloring pages, and anyone looking for a clear Maryland state symbols list. You will also find printable-friendly ideas and easy ways to use these symbols for learning and creative projects.
Maryland State Symbols List
Maryland has a large collection of official state symbols. The Maryland State Archives lists categories including the bird, boat, cat, crustacean, dessert, dinosaur, dog, drink, exercise, fish, flag, flower, fossil shell, folk dance, gem, horse, insect, mineral, reptile, seal, song, spirit, sport, theaters, and tree. These designations are documented in Maryland law.
Here is a useful selection of Maryland’s best-known official symbols:
| Category | Maryland Symbol |
| State Flag | Maryland State Flag |
| State Bird | Baltimore Oriole |
| State Flower | Black-Eyed Susan |
| State Dog | Chesapeake Bay Retriever |
| State Tree | White Oak |
| State Fish | Striped Bass or Rockfish |
| State Insect | Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly |
| State Reptile | Diamondback Terrapin |
| State Crustacean | Blue Crab |
| State Boat | Skipjack |
| State Sport | Jousting |
| State Dinosaur | Astrodon johnstoni |
| State Fossil Shell | Ecphora |
| State Cat | Calico Cat |
| State Horse | Calico Horse |
The list shows why “Maryland state symbols” is a broader topic than just the flag or state bird. Maryland has official symbols connected with nature, transportation, sports, history, food, and culture.
For quick study, the easiest symbols to remember are the Maryland flag, Baltimore Oriole, Black-Eyed Susan, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, White Oak, striped bass, Baltimore Checkerspot, Diamondback Terrapin, and blue crab.
What is Maryland State Symbols
Maryland state symbols are officially designated representations of the state. They can be animals, plants, objects, designs, foods, cultural traditions, or other subjects that Maryland has selected through law or official designation.
The state’s symbols have different historical backgrounds. For example, the Maryland flag is based on the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. The Baltimore Oriole represents the state’s official bird, while the Black-Eyed Susan is its official flower.
Some symbols are connected directly to Maryland’s natural environment. The Chesapeake Bay helps explain the importance of symbols such as the blue crab, striped bass, Diamondback Terrapin, and Skipjack. Others connect to Maryland’s history and traditions.
The term “state symbol” also covers different categories. Maryland does not have to choose only one animal or plant. It can designate a specific bird, dog, fish, insect, reptile, crustacean, and other categories separately.
This makes Maryland’s collection particularly useful for educational projects because each category provides a different way to learn about the state.
Maryland State Symbols And Emblems
Maryland’s official symbols and emblems can be divided into several simple groups.
Nature And Wildlife Symbols
These symbols represent Maryland’s plants and animals:
- 🐦 Baltimore Oriole — State bird
- 🌼 Black-Eyed Susan — State flower
- 🌳 White Oak — State tree
- 🐕 Chesapeake Bay Retriever — State dog
- 🐟 Striped Bass — State fish
- 🦋 Baltimore Checkerspot — State insect
- 🐢 Diamondback Terrapin — State reptile
- 🦀 Blue Crab — State crustacean
Historical And Civic Emblems
The Maryland State Flag and Great Seal of Maryland are important historical and civic emblems.
The Maryland flag combines the Calvert and Crossland family arms. The gold-and-black Calvert pattern appears in the first and fourth quarters, while the red-and-white Crossland design appears in the second and third. Maryland officially adopted the flag in 1904.
The Great Seal has a shield containing the Calvert and Crossland arms. Its imagery includes a farmer and fisherman, while the reverse also carries the date 1632, referring to the year Maryland’s charter was granted to Cecilius Calvert.
These emblems are especially useful when a Maryland project focuses on history rather than only wildlife.
Md State Bird
The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is Maryland’s official state bird. The General Assembly designated it as the state bird in 1947.
Copy-friendly reference:
🐦 Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore Oriole is known for its striking black and orange coloring. Its name also creates a strong connection with Baltimore, although the bird is officially a symbol of the entire state of Maryland.
The bird’s colors have a historical connection with the Calvert arms associated with the Lords Baltimore. Maryland’s State Archives notes this relationship when explaining the bird’s designation.
For a school project, students can use this simple format:
| Fact | Information |
| State | Maryland |
| Symbol | Baltimore Oriole |
| Category | State bird |
| Scientific Name | Icterus galbula |
| Common Colors | Black and orange |
A useful symbol for digital projects is 🐦, but this emoji is a general bird emoji, not an official Unicode representation of the Baltimore Oriole. For accurate educational material, write the bird’s actual name rather than treating the emoji as the official state symbol.
Md State Animal
Maryland does not list a general “state animal” among the official categories on the Maryland State Archives’ state-symbol list. Instead, Maryland has several specific animal designations, including an official state bird, dog, fish, insect, reptile, crustacean, cat, and horse.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is Maryland’s official state dog. It was designated by the General Assembly in 1964.
Copy-friendly symbol:
🐕 Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The breed has a natural connection to the Chesapeake Bay region and is an important part of Maryland’s state-symbol collection.
If you are writing a school assignment using the phrase “Maryland state animal,” it is more accurate to explain that Maryland has specific official animal symbols rather than claiming that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is officially called the state’s general animal.
Other Maryland animal symbols include:
- 🐦 Baltimore Oriole — State bird
- 🐕 Chesapeake Bay Retriever — State dog
- 🐟 Striped Bass — State fish
- 🦋 Baltimore Checkerspot — State insect
- 🐢 Diamondback Terrapin — State reptile
- 🦀 Blue Crab — State crustacean
- 🐱 Calico Cat — State cat
- 🐴 Calico Horse — State horse
This distinction makes the information more accurate while still answering what readers usually mean when they search for Maryland’s state animal.
Md State Flower
The Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is Maryland’s official state flower. The General Assembly designated it as the state flower in 1918.
Copy-friendly symbol:
🌼 Black-Eyed Susan
The flower has bright yellow petals surrounding a dark central area, making it easy for children to recognize and draw. It is a familiar Maryland symbol and works particularly well for classroom activities and coloring projects.
The Black-Eyed Susan belongs to the daisy family. Maryland’s official material describes it as a yellow daisy or coneflower that blooms in late summer.
A simple project entry can look like this:
Maryland State Flower: Black-Eyed Susan
Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Category: State flower
Main Colors: Yellow and dark brown
For digital content, 🌼 can be used as a decorative flower emoji, but it should not be presented as the official Unicode symbol for the Black-Eyed Susan.
Baltimore Symbols
Baltimore symbols are related to Baltimore City, while some Maryland state symbols also have a close Baltimore connection.
The Baltimore Oriole is the clearest example. It is Maryland’s official state bird, but its name directly refers to Baltimore. Its black-and-orange coloring also has a historical connection with the Calvert family arms.
Baltimore also has its own city flag. The city’s code describes a flag using the Lord Baltimore colors of black and gold, along with a shield featuring the Battle Monument.
This gives readers an important distinction:
| Maryland | Baltimore City |
| Maryland State Flag | Baltimore City Flag |
| Baltimore Oriole | Baltimore municipal symbols |
| Black-Eyed Susan | City seal and civic identifiers |
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever | Baltimore-specific landmarks and emblems |
| Great Seal of Maryland | Baltimore City government symbols |
The phrase “Baltimore symbols” can therefore refer to either city-specific emblems or Maryland symbols strongly associated with Baltimore. The exact context matters.
Maryland State Symbols For Kids
Maryland state symbols are excellent subjects for children’s learning activities because many of them are animals, plants, objects, and colorful designs.
A simple kids’ reference chart can include:
| Symbol | Easy Explanation |
| 🐦 Baltimore Oriole | Maryland’s state bird |
| 🌼 Black-Eyed Susan | Maryland’s state flower |
| 🐕 Chesapeake Bay Retriever | Maryland’s state dog |
| 🌳 White Oak | Maryland’s state tree |
| 🐟 Striped Bass | Maryland’s state fish |
| 🦋 Baltimore Checkerspot | Maryland’s state insect |
| 🐢 Diamondback Terrapin | Maryland’s state reptile |
| 🦀 Blue Crab | Maryland’s state crustacean |
| ⛵ Skipjack | Maryland’s state boat |
| 🏇 Jousting | Maryland’s state sport |
Easy Activities For Kids
Children can learn the symbols through simple activities:
- Matching game: Match each symbol with its category.
- Coloring activity: Color the flag, flower, bird, or animals.
- Flashcards: Put the symbol on one side and its name on the other.
- Drawing project: Ask children to draw their favorite Maryland symbol.
- Word search: Hide names such as Oriole, Susan, Oak, Crab, and Terrapin.
- Poster project: Create a Maryland symbols chart for the classroom.
These activities turn a simple list into a useful state-history lesson.
Maryland State Symbols Coloring Pages
Maryland symbols are well suited to coloring pages because many have recognizable shapes and details.
Good subjects include:
- Maryland State Flag — Practice the distinctive black, gold, red, and white pattern.
- Baltimore Oriole — Color a bird with black and orange features.
- Black-Eyed Susan — Draw yellow petals around a dark center.
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever — Create a Maryland state dog activity.
- White Oak — Draw leaves, branches, and the tree trunk.
- Blue Crab — Create a Chesapeake Bay wildlife page.
- Diamondback Terrapin — Use its shell as a drawing and coloring subject.
For a printable classroom sheet, put the symbol’s name under each picture. This helps children connect the image with the correct category.
The Maryland State Archives provides official descriptions and reference material for the state’s symbols, making it a useful source when preparing educational worksheets or checking the accuracy of a symbol.
A coloring page should also avoid replacing official symbols with generic pictures. For example, a Maryland flower page should clearly identify the Black-Eyed Susan, rather than simply labeling it “flower.”
Printable Maryland State Symbols
A printable Maryland state symbols sheet can work as a classroom handout, study guide, homeschool worksheet, or quick reference.
Printable Quick List
MARYLAND STATE SYMBOLS
- 🏳️ State Flag: Maryland State Flag
- 🐦 State Bird: Baltimore Oriole
- 🌼 State Flower: Black-Eyed Susan
- 🐕 State Dog: Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- 🌳 State Tree: White Oak
- 🐟 State Fish: Striped Bass or Rockfish
- 🦋 State Insect: Baltimore Checkerspot
- 🐢 State Reptile: Diamondback Terrapin
- 🦀 State Crustacean: Blue Crab
- ⛵ State Boat: Skipjack
- 🏇 State Sport: Jousting
- 🦕 State Dinosaur: Astrodon johnstoni
- 🐚 State Fossil Shell: Ecphora
- 🐱 State Cat: Calico Cat
- 🐴 State Horse: Calico Horse
The official Maryland list contains additional categories beyond these commonly searched symbols.
For a printable worksheet, leave a blank line beside each category. Students can write the answer, draw the symbol, or match names with pictures.
A second useful format is a Maryland symbols matching worksheet:
- Bird → __________
- Flower → __________
- Dog → __________
- Tree → __________
- Fish → __________
- Insect → __________
- Reptile → __________
- Crustacean → __________
- Boat → __________
- Sport → __________
This format works well for younger students because it tests recognition without requiring long written answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Main Maryland State Symbols?
Some of Maryland’s best-known official symbols are the Maryland State Flag, Baltimore Oriole, Black-Eyed Susan, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, White Oak, striped bass, Baltimore Checkerspot, Diamondback Terrapin, blue crab, Skipjack, and jousting. Maryland has many additional official symbol categories.
What Is Maryland’s State Bird And Flower?
Maryland’s state bird is the Baltimore Oriole, and its state flower is the Black-Eyed Susan. The bird was designated in 1947, while the flower was designated in 1918.
What Is Maryland’s State Dog?
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is Maryland’s official state dog. The General Assembly designated the breed in 1964.
What Does The Maryland Flag Represent?
The Maryland flag is based on the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. The Calvert design uses gold and black, while the Crossland design uses red and white. Maryland officially adopted the flag in 1904.
Does Maryland Have A General State Animal?
Maryland’s official state-symbol list does not designate one general state animal. Instead, it has separate animal categories such as state bird, dog, fish, insect, reptile, crustacean, cat, and horse.
Conclusion
Maryland state symbols bring together the state’s wildlife, plants, history, traditions, and civic identity. The Baltimore Oriole, Black-Eyed Susan, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, White Oak, blue crab, and Diamondback Terrapin are just a few examples from the state’s larger collection of official symbols.
These symbols are also useful for practical learning. Teachers and parents can turn them into printable worksheets, flashcards, coloring pages, matching games, posters, and school projects. Kids can learn the names and categories while also discovering how Maryland’s natural environment and history influenced its symbols.
For the most accurate Maryland symbols information, use official state resources when checking names, categories, and historical details. Whether you need a quick Maryland state symbols list or material for a classroom project, organizing the symbols by category makes them easier to understand and remember.
I’m Madison Reed, a contemporary American author who writes about love, family, friendship, and second chances. I’m fascinated by the choices that shape our lives and the moments that change us forever. My goal is to create honest, emotional stories with characters readers can connect with long after finishing each book.
Three Books:
When We Find Our Way
The Things We Never Said
Summer in September
Jackson Miller
Ethan Brooks