It’s no secret that Marylanders love their flag with some descriptions from Marylanders like Cole Garret calling it “so ugly it’s beautiful” to others like Logan McNeil who described it as “The best state flag in the US”. It’s come to the point that a known stereotype about Marylanders is that they put their flag on everything from shirts and hats to bumper stickers and socks. As a Marylander, I must say this stereotype is certainly accurate. Go anywhere across the state, and you are bound to find the flag plastered literally everywhere from schools and public libraries to small businesses and single-family homes.

This begins to beg the question of why Marylanders love their flag, and so many people from many other states don’t. The answer to this question is simple The Maryland flag is simply the best in the union. Obviously, we can start with the pure creativity displayed in the flag. The Maryland flag is one of only four in the US that features red in its design and is the only design in the union to be entirely based on European heraldry (the coats of arms of European families). The pure uniqueness of the flag is what makes the Maryland flag stand out among the sea of uninspired state flags that merely consist of a seal on a blue background. This uniqueness is probably why the state flag has endeared itself into the hearts of Marylanders so much, allowing the flag to act as a specific and easily recognizable symbol of Maryland that evokes a sense of patriotism. Brady Dilworth, fellow local Marylander, states that when he sees the Maryland flag, he feels a sense of pride in the fact that his flag is recognizable, and he is from Maryland.

Maryland’s flag isn’t just unique because of its unprecedent design. Its flag is also the best because of the history that has shaped it. The flag bears the coat of arms of the Calvert and Crossland family’s prominent families in the early history of Maryland. During the civil war the state of Maryland was deeply divided. Maryland was a border state that stayed with the union during the war. Despite this, many Marylanders fought with the confederacy during the civil war. During the civil war, the banner of the Calvert family was carried by union forces, and the banner of the Crossland family was carried by the confederacy. After the civil war, the flag of Maryland was designed with reconsolidation in mind; the flag was created to create unity among the divided Marylanders in the wake of the civil war. The design of the two sides’ symbols was stitched together as a show of unity amongst the once divided Marylanders as the flag itself appears in 1880 and was officially adopted as the state flag in 1904. This historical context is partly what makes the flag special as it is the banner of a united Maryland. Despite our many differences, it shows that the people can come together as one Maryland.

To see what a Marylander thought about the flag I asked long time Marylander Paula Higgins about her thoughts.

Q. What does the Maryland Flag mean to you?

A. Whenever I see the flag, I think of Maryland traditions. It reminds me of all the things in Maryland that I love. Crabs, Orioles, sports, fishing, and the countryside. The colors are recognizable and match well together in a way I think no other state has. You don’t see many other states with their flags all over merchandise, but here in Maryland, we always put it on everything, and that just shows our pride. I love it!

Q, Do you believe the Maryland Flag is the best in the country.

A. Absolutely! It’s one you surely recognize.

Q. What makes it the best in the country?

A. Well, as I said, it is colorful, and everyone in Maryland shows their pride in it. I think besides Maryland there is not another state I know that has a flag that is so recognizable that other people outside of Maryland would know.

At the end of the day what makes Maryland’s flag so good is its extremely unique design that makes it stand out. Add on top of that a lot of important historical symbolism and a message that promotes unity amongst its people, and it’s no surprise that the Maryland flag is not only the best in the US but also so beloved amongst its people.