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Maryland State Symbols
GREAT SEAL OF MARYLAND  The Great Seal of Maryland is used by the Governor and the Secretary of State to authenticate Acts of the General Assembly and for other official purposes. The first Great Seal was sent from England shortly after settlement of the colony. Except for the period of crown rule (1692-1715) when different seals were used, the first Great Seal remained in use, though slightly altered, until the Revolution. The State of Maryland then adopted a new seal similar in form and spirit to those of other states. One hundred years later, Maryland readopted its old seal (Joint Resolution no. 5, Acts of 1876). Only the reverse of this seal has ever been cut. The obverse, however, is still considered part of the seal and often adorns public buildings.
The front of the Seal shows Lord Baltimore as a knight in full armor mounted on a charger. Translated, the inscription says "Cecilius, Absolute Lord of Maryland and Avalon, Baron of Baltimore" (Chapter 79, Acts of 1969; Code State Government Article, secs. 13-101 through 13-105). |
The back consists of an escutheon, or shield, bearing the Calvert and Crossland arms quartered. Above is an earl's crown and a full-faced helmet. The escutcheon is supported on one side by a farmer and on the other by a fisherman. It symbolizes Lord Baltimore's two estates: Maryland, and Avalon in Newfoundland. The Calvert motto on the scroll is "Fattimaschii parole femine," usually translated "manly deeds, womanly words." The Latin legend on the border (the last verse of Psalms 5 from the Vulgate) is translated "with favor wilt thou compass us as with a shield." The date, 1632, refers to the year the Maryland charter was granted by Charles I, King of England, to Cecilius Calvert, second Lort Baltimore.
