State Symbols

Black and gold quarters (the arms of Lord Baltimore’s family, the Calverts) along with red and white quarters (the arms of his mother’s family, the Crosslands)

“Maryland, My Maryland,” written by teacher James Ryder Randall after a Civil War riot in Baltimore

Smith Island Cake, made by the ladies of Smith Island for years, has achieved national recognition. With impossibly thin layers of cake and icing stacked high, Smith Island cakes are a unique treat.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a hunting breed with webbed paws and a waterproof coat.

Calico, with colors resembling the Maryland flag.

Baltimore Oriole, with black and gold coloring.

Striped bass, also known as rockfish.

Skipjack, the last working boat under sail in North America, used for dredging oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.

Black-eyed Susan, with black and gold coloring and a blossom of 13 petals.

White Oak

Jousting, which requires horseback riders to spear small, suspended rings.

Square dancing.

Milk

Astrodon johnstoni, “star tooth,” which lived between 95 and 130 million years ago.

Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae, an extinct Chesapeake Bay snail.

Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, with orange and white spots on a black base.

Diamondback terrapin, also the University of Maryland College Park mascot.