Every state has official symbols, but Maryland’s list is unusually colorful. From the state sport to the state dessert, here is a guide to the emblems recognized in Maryland.
What are Maryland’s best-known state symbols?
According to published lists drawn from the Maryland Manual and other state sources, they include:
| Category | Symbol |
|---|---|
| State bird | Baltimore oriole |
| State flower | Black-eyed Susan |
| State tree | White oak |
| State sport | Jousting |
| State dessert | Smith Island cake |
| State crustacean | Blue crab |
| State dog | Chesapeake Bay Retriever |
| State cat | Calico cat |
| State team sport | Lacrosse (named in 2004) |
Why is jousting the state sport?
Jousting is Maryland’s official state sport. It is listed alongside lacrosse, which was named the state team sport in 2004. The two designations reflect different traditions in the state.
What is Smith Island cake?
Smith Island cake is the official state dessert. The list of symbols identifies it as a distinctive Maryland food.
How do these connect to everyday Maryland?
Several symbols appear in the rest of our coverage. The black-eyed Susan is draped over the winner of the Preakness Stakes, and the blue crab is the subject of our guide to crab season and the winter dredge survey. The Baltimore oriole is the name behind the baseball team at Camden Yards.
Where to find the official list
The Maryland Manual On-Line and the state’s tourism and Secretary of State sites publish the full list of official symbols and when each was adopted.
This article is a general guide based on published lists of Maryland’s state symbols. Official designations can change, so check the Maryland Manual for the current list.
Sources: Maryland Manual On-Line; Visit Maryland; Maryland Secretary of State
