Office of the Secretary of State

The Maryland flag is divided into four quarters. The first and fourth quarters consist of six vertical bars alternately yellow (representing gold) and black with a diagonal band on which the colors are reversed. The yellow and black quarters represent the family arms of the first proprietor of Maryland, George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore. The second and third quarters consist of a quartered field of red and white (representing silver) bearing a Greek cross with arms terminating in trefoils. The colors in the second and third quarters alternate, with red on the white ground and white on the red. The red and white quarters display the arms of Lord Baltimore's maternal family, the Crosslands.

• red on coated stock-PMS 201
• red on uncoated stock-PMS 193
• yellow on coated stock-PMS 124
• yellow on uncoated stock-PMS 124

When the condition of the Maryland flag is such that it is no longer fit for display, it should be disposed of in the same manner as the U.S. flag, preferably by burning, and with the same dignity as is accorded the disposal of the U.S. flag.

The Maryland flag in its present form was not flown until after the Civil War. When a Maryland banner is desired for pageants, reenactments, commemorations, and other historical occasions, it may consist of the yellow and black Calvert colors displayed as in the first quarter of the Maryland flag. Two pennants, one black and the other yellow, flown on separate staffs may also be appropriately used for historical commemorations and events.

Return to Table of Contents

Except as provided in §4.02, the Maryland flag should not be displayed outdoors earlier than sunrise nor later than sunset. When a patriotic effect is desired, however, the Maryland flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if directly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

When the Maryland flag is displayed in any manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When the Maryland flag is displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the first quarter should be at the top and to the flag's own right (the observer's left). When the U.S. flag and Maryland flag are displayed together against a wall, the U.S. flag should have the position of honor on the flag's own right (the observer's left), with the union uppermost and to the flag's own right (the observer's left). The Maryland flag should be displayed as described above, with the first quarter uppermost and to the flag's own right (the observer's left).

When displayed with the U.S. flag against a wall, the Maryland flag should be approximately the same size as, but never larger than, the U.S. flag, and it should be suspended at the same height as, but never higher than, the U.S. flag. (Fig. 3)

Return to Table of Contents

• Place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement of any nature upon any flag . . . authorized by any law of the United States or of this State; or

• Expose to public view any such flag . . . upon which shall have been printed, painted or otherwise produced, or to which shall have been attached, appended, affixed or annexed any such word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement; or

• Expose to public view for sale, manufacture, or otherwise, or to sell, give or have in possession for sale, for gift or for use for any purpose, any substance, being an article of merchandise, or receptacle, or thing for holding or carrying merchandise, upon or to which shall have been produced or attached any such flag . . . in order to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark or distinguish such article or substance. (Criminal Law Article, §10-703).

The prohibition against use of the Maryland flag outlined in 3.05 shall not apply to any act permitted by the statutes of the United States (or of this State), or by the United States Army and Navy regulations, nor shall it apply to any printed or written document or production, stationery, ornament, pictures, apparel or jewelry whereon shall be depicted said flag. . . with no design or words thereon and disconnected with any advertisement (Criminal Law Article, §10-702).

Return to Table of Contents

When the Maryland flag is displayed within the State of Maryland, it should occupy the position of honor (to the flag's own right, or the observer's left) after the U.S. flag and the flag of any other nation, and before the flags of other states, Maryland counties and Baltimore City, municipalities, and public or private organizations. The positions of honor in a display of flags are (see Figs. 4a and 4b):

• U.S. flag in the position of highest honor (the observer's extreme left or the highest point in a grouping of flags)
• the flag or flags of other nations ranked in alphabetical order
• the Maryland flag

• the flags of other states, ranked in an order determined by the respective state's date of ratification of the U.S. Constitution or date of admission to the Union. In national events or ceremonies honoring the nation or the U.S. flag, the Maryland flag may occupy the seventh position among the flags of the states in recognition of its rank as the seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

• the flags of Maryland counties (with Baltimore City being ranked as a county for the purposes of this protocol), with the host county in the position of honor to the left (the observer's right) of the Maryland flag, followed by the other county flags ranked in an order determined by the a county's date of creation.

• the flags of Maryland municipalities, and the flags or pennants of public and private agencies, institutions, and societies ranked in an order determined at the discretion of the organizers or sponsors of the particular event.

The U.S. flag and the Maryland flag shall be flown from the State House at Annapolis continuously during sessions of the General Assembly. When the General Assembly is not in session, the U.S. flag and the Maryland flag shall be flown continuously from the State House on each day that the governor designates as a public occasion, and on any other day, weather permitting, between sunrise and sunset (State Government Article, §13-204).

When the U.S. flag and Maryland flag are flown from a single flagstaff, the U. S. flag should be displayed from the peak position with the Maryland flag immediately below it. The Maryland flag should be approximately the same size as, but never larger than, the U.S. flag. (Fig. 5).

When the Maryland flag and the U.S. flag are displayed on separate flagpoles, the flagpoles should be of equal height and the Maryland flag should be approximately the same size as, but never larger than, the U.S. flag. The U.S. flag should be flown from the position of honor on the flag's own right, or from the flagpole on the left as normally viewed by the observer. The Maryland flag should be flown from the second position of honor, or from the flagpole on the right as normally viewed by the observer. (Fig. 6)

When a Maryland facility is located in another state, the flag of the host state may be flown on an adjacent staff of equal height. The Maryland flag and the flag of the host state should be of approximately the same size, and the Maryland flag should be flown in the position of honor (to the flag's own right, or to the observer's left) after the U.S. flag. When the Maryland flag is flown with the U.S. flag and the flag of another state at such a facility, the proper order from the observer's left is the U.S. flag, the Maryland flag, and the flag of the host state.

The U. S. flag displayed from a staff either on a speaker's platform or at floor level in a public auditorium should occupy the position of honor to the speaker's right as the speaker faces the audience. The Maryland flag displayed from a staff either on a speaker's platform or on the main floor of a public auditorium should be placed in the second position of honor to the left (the observer's right) of the U.S. flag. Both the U.S. and the Maryland flags may be to the speaker's right (the observer's left), or the Maryland flag (but not the U.S. flag) may be to the speaker's left (observer's right). (Fig. 7)

When the Maryland flag and U.S. flag are displayed from separate staffs grouped around a central point, the U.S. flag should be at the highest point of the group. The Maryland flag takes the next place of honor (on the observer's extreme left). (Fig. 8)

When displayed with the Maryland flag from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on the flag's own right (the observer's left) and its staff should be in front of the staff of the Maryland flag. (Fig. 9)

When carried in a procession with the Maryland flag and other flags, the U.S. flag should be on the marching right (the observer's left) with the Maryland flag taking the next position of honor (to the observer's right). The U.S. flag can also be carried in front of and at the center of a line of flags in a procession, in which case the Maryland flag should take the next position of honor on the marching right (the observer's left) of the line. (Fig. 10)

When the U.S. and Maryland flags are flown from a cross staff, the U.S. flag flies from the peak and the Maryland flag occupies the position on the right end of the cross staff (the observer's left). (Fig. 11)

When the U.S. and Maryland flags are flown from a cross staff with a gaff, the U.S. flag flies at the gaff and the Maryland flag occupies the position on the right end of the cross staff (the observer's left). If county, city, or private flags are also flown, the next position of honor is the left end of the cross staff (the observer's right) followed by the peak of the staff.

Return to Table of Contents

By order of the Governor or his authorized representative, the Maryland flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of present or former government officials or state and national leaders, and on other occasions as the Governor or his authorized representative directs. The Maryland flag shall remain at half-staff for the period prescribed by the Governor or his authorized representative.

The Maryland flag may be used to cover the coffin of a state police officer killed in the line of duty, or any other state official or public servant whose career was substantially devoted to public service in the state. When the Maryland flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so that the first quarter is at the head and over the left shoulder. The Maryland flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. (Fig. 13)

During periods of official mourning, the Maryland flag may be draped with crepe when it is not possible to display the flag at half-staff. When so ordered by the Governor or his authorized representative, the staff of the flag shall display black crepe attached to the staff below the cross bottony. The crepe shall be tied into a bow with the ends forming streamers of equal length. (Fig. 14)

Return to Table of Contents

The U.S. Ensign and the Maryland flag are normally flown from sunrise to sunset. However, at most yacht clubs "colors are made" at 0800. This timing is proper when in the company of other boats simultaneously making colors. The U.S. Ensign is flown first and lowered last.

• Sloops, cutters, and schooners

  • While underway - sailing vessels with one mast should fly the U.S. Ensign at the stern staff, or two-thirds of the way up the leech of the mainsail (or at the top of the leech, if gaff-rigged). The Maryland flag should fly at the starboard spreader, or on the forward mast of a schooner.

  • While at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag from the starboard spreader

• While underway and at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag may be flown from the forestaff in lieu of a yacht club burgee.
• Motorboats with auxiliary masts should follow the rules for sailboats.

Return to Table of Contents