MARCH 19, 2025 — Howard County, MD, has selected a new flag designed by Esen Paradiso, a resident of nearly 50 years, reports the Baltimore Banner.
The new design will replace the county’s existing flag, which has been in place since 1968.
County Executive Calvin Ball announced the selection on Tuesday during a ceremony in Ellicott City. Paradiso’s design features arching gold and white lines over a green and blue background, symbolizing the county’s agricultural past and its cultural and economic future.
The design “represents an evolving agricultural past blended with an optimistic future, which is cosmopolitan, vibrant and thriving,” Ball said.
The design process began in January 2024 when the county established a flag commission and received 184 eligible submissions.
The new flag’s design incorporates several symbolic elements reflecting Howard County’s history and future, according to a press release by the local government.
The arching gold and white lines represent the county’s agricultural roots and structural landmarks, such as the Thomas Viaduct and the Chrysalis amphitheater. The golden circle symbolizes the sun’s boundless energy and the promise of a bright future, while the blue background represents optimism, the sky, and the county’s natural waterways. The green field signifies environmental preservation and the county’s agricultural heritage, highlighting a commitment to sustainability and cultural growth.
The new flag requires County Council approval, with legislation expected next month. If approved, it will replace the current red and white design, which features a sheaf of wheat and an outline of the county. “After 56 years, the time has come to modernize Howard County’s flag,” Ball said.
Image: Howard County
