Fatti maschi, parole femmine Facts for Kids

Fatti maschi, parole femmine is a special Italian phrase. It literally means "deeds are males, words are females." But its true meaning is "strong deeds, gentle words." This powerful saying is the official motto of the state of Maryland in the United States. It reminds people that actions are more important than just talking.

Maryland's State Motto: Actions Speak Louder
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Maryland's State Motto: Actions Speak Louder

The phrase Fatti maschi, parole femmine is Maryland's state motto. A motto is a short saying that expresses a guiding idea or belief. This motto has been part of Maryland's official seal for a very long time. It shows the importance of doing things rather than just speaking about them.

What Does the Motto Mean?

The motto "strong deeds, gentle words" teaches us a valuable lesson. It means that what you do is more important than what you say.

Strong deeds: This part refers to brave and effective actions. It means taking action and making a real difference.
Gentle words: This part suggests speaking kindly and thoughtfully. It means being polite and careful with your language, even when you are doing great things.

So, the motto encourages people to be strong and effective in their actions, but also to be gentle and wise in their words. It's about being a person who gets things done, but always with respect and kindness.

History of Maryland's Motto

The motto comes from the Calvert family. They were the founders of the Maryland colony. George Calvert, the first Baron Baltimore, was given the land for Maryland by the King of England in the 1600s. His son, Cecil Calvert, actually started the colony.

The Calvert family had their own coat of arms. This was a special design that showed their family's history and values. The motto Fatti maschi, parole femmine was part of their family coat of arms. When Maryland became a colony, this motto was included on the colony's official seal. It has been on the state seal ever since.

The Calvert Family and Maryland

The Calvert family were important figures in the early history of Maryland. They wanted to create a place where people of different Christian faiths could live together peacefully. This was unusual at a time when religious differences often caused conflict. The motto on their coat of arms likely reflected their belief in strong, decisive actions (like founding a colony) combined with gentle, tolerant words (like promoting religious freedom).

The Seal of Maryland

The state motto is found on the Seal of Maryland. The seal is an important symbol of the state government. It is used to make official documents legal and binding. The current seal of Maryland has two sides:

The Obverse (front) side: This side shows Lord Baltimore as a knight on horseback. He is holding a sword. This symbolizes military power and strength.
The Reverse (back) side: This side shows the Calvert family's coat of arms. This is where the motto Fatti maschi, parole femmine is displayed. The coat of arms has several parts, including a farmer and a fisherman. These figures represent the state's early economy and its natural resources.

The seal has changed slightly over the years, but the core symbols and the motto have remained the same. They connect modern Maryland to its colonial past and the vision of its founders.