National emblems of Barbados are the symbols that are used in Barbados to represent the independent nation. The emblems reflect different aspects of its cultural life and history.

List of symbols

Symbol Image Started on
National flag 30 November 1966
Coat of arms of Barbados 14 February 1966
Motto Pride and Industry 14 February 1966
National Anthem In Plenty and In Time of Need 30 November 1966
National Pledge The National Pledge 2 April 1973
President's Standard 30 November 2021
Prime Minister's Standard [1]
National colours

ultramarine
#120A8F

gold
#D4A017

black
#000000
National dish
Cou-Cou and Flying Fish
Floral emblem
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
National Animal
National bird
Pelecanus occidentalis
National Dress for men Proposed
National Dress for women Proposed

Former List of symbols

SymbolimageStarted-Ended
Colonial Municipal seal(s)
Bridgetown City Corporation 1942
Colonial flag(s)
Union Flag 1632–1801
Union Flag 1801–1871
Barbados & Windward Is. 1871–1885
Crown colony 1885–1958
Province of Barbados
(West Indies Federation)		 1958–1966
Vice-Royal insignia
Governor's Flag[2]		 1870–1966
Queen Elizabeth II Royal Cypher 1953–2021
Post-Colonial flag(s)
Queen Elizabeth II Royal Standard 1966–2021
Viceroy insignia
Governor-General		 1966–2021

Flag

The trident centred within the flag is a representation of the mythological Neptune, god of the sea. The trident in its original unbroken form was taken from the former colonial seal, which itself was replaced by the current coat of arms. Used within the national flag, the left and right shafts of the trident were then designed as 'broken' representing the nation of Barbados breaking away from its historical and constitutional ties as a former colony.

The three points of the trident represent in Barbados the three principles of democracy—"government of, for and by the people." The broken trident is set in a centred vertical band of gold representing the sands of Barbados' beaches. The gold band itself is surrounded on both sides by vertical bands of ultramarine (blue) representing the sea and sky of Barbados.

The design for the flag was created by Grantley W. Prescod and was chosen from an open competition arranged by the Barbados government. Over a thousand entries were received.[3]

Heraldry

The coat of arms depicts two animals which are supporting the shield. On the left is a "dolphin" which is symbolic of the fishing industry. On the right is a pelican which is symbolic of a small island named Pelican Island that once existed off the coast of Bridgetown. Above the shield is the helmet of Barbados with an extended arm clutching two sugar-cane stalks. The "cross" formation made by the cane stalks represents the saltire cross upon which Saint Andrew was crucified. On the base of the coat of arms reads "Pride and Industry".

Golden Shield

The Golden Shield in the coat of arms carries two "Pride of Barbados" flowers (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) and the "bearded" fig tree, which was common on the island at the time of its settlement by the British and may have contributed to Barbados being so named.

Flower

A yellow and red Pride of Barbados.

The national flower is the Pride of Barbados or Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw., which grows across the island.

National heroes

In April 1998, the Order of National Heroes Act was passed by the Parliament of Barbados. According to the government, the act established that 28 April (the centenary of the birth of Sir Grantley Adams) would be celebrated as National Heroes' Day. The act also declared that there are ten national heroes of Barbados, all of whom would be elevated to the title of "The Right Excellent".[4] On the first day of Barbados as a parliamentary presidential republic, the government conferred the title of National Hero to singer Rihanna in 2021, raising the number to eleven National Heroes.

The eleven official National Heroes of Barbados are:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Prime Minister's Flag, Flags of the World online
  2. ↑ Governor's Flag
  3. ↑ "Government of Barbados National Flag". Barbados.gov.bb. 12 November 2003. Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  4. ↑ Government of Barbados – National Heroes Archived 2008-09-05 at the Wayback MachineHistory of Barbados, The Parliament of Barbados Archived 2007-05-23 at the Wayback Machine
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