Barbados National Emblems
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What are the national emblems of the country? Here is a brief outline of Barbados' primary symbols.
National Motto: Pride and Industry National Flower: The pride of Barbados National Dish: Cou Cou and Flying Fish
About The Barbados National Flag
The most visual of all national emblems, the flag of Barbados is made up of 3 equal, vertical bands – a gold band in the center and two out ultramarine bands. The outer bands represent the sky and the sea surrounding the island.
The gold band represents the sand of the beaches. The black trident in the middle of the gold band is the trident of the mythical sea god “Neptune”. It’s broken shaft signifies Barbados’ independence from Great Britain in 1966.
The Barbados National flag , is flown from official government buildings, Heroes Square, Schools and other places of business between 6:00am-6:00pm.
The Flag when raised must not touch anything beneath it, the ground, water, trees, buildings etc.
The Flag must not be displayed with the trident inverted unless in times of distress. The flag is flown at half mast in times of mourning specified by the government.
The national pledge is said in schools on mornings at the start of assembly and sometimes prior to the start of most public events as an option to singing the Barbados National anthem.
The national pledge of Barbados- “ I pledge allegiance to my country Barbados and to my flag, to uphold and defend their honour, and by my living to do credit to my nation, wherever I go” .
In 1966, the year in which Barbados gained independence from Great Britain, Her Majesty the Queen presented the senate with the Grant of Arms conveyed by Royal Warrant.
The gold shield on the Barbados Coat of Arms features two Pride of Barbados flowers (scientifically called Caesalpinia pulcherrima), a bearded fig tree (scientifically called Ficus citrifolia or Ficus barbata), bearded fig trees were plentiful when the island was first settled.
On the left side of the coat of arms a dolphin appears symbolising the islands fishing industry on the right side a pelican appears symbolising Pelican island which used to exist off the coast of the island.
Above the shield is a helment of Barbados with an extended arm holding two sugar cane stalks( representing Barbados’ sugar industry. The cross formed by the canes represents the saltire cross on which Saint Andrew was crucified.
At the bottom of the Coat of Arms is the country’s motto: “Pride and Industry.”
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