National emblems of Barbados are the symbols that are used in

Barbados Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...

to represent the independent nation. The emblems reflect different aspects of its cultural life and history.

List of symbols

Former List of symbols

Flag

The trident centred within the flag is a representation of the mythological

Neptune Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and the farthest known planet in the Solar System. It is the fourth-largest planet in the Solar System by diameter, the third-most-massive planet, and the densest giant planet. It is 17 times ...

, 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 A trident is a three- pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and historically as a polearm. The trident is the weapon of Poseidon, or Neptune, the God of the Sea in classical mythology. The trident may occasionally be held by other marine ...

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.

Heraldry

The

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central ele ...

depicts two animals which are supporting the shield. On the left is a "

dolphin A dolphin is an aquatic mammal within the infraorder Cetacea. Dolphin species belong to the families Delphinidae (the oceanic dolphins), Platanistidae (the Indian river dolphins), Iniidae (the New World river dolphins), Pontoporiidae (the ...

" which is symbolic of the fishing industry. On the right is a

pelican Pelicans (genus ''Pelecanus'') are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before s ...

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 Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of (often hybrid) tall, perennial grass (in the genus '' Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fibrous stalks ...

stalks. The "cross" formation made by the cane stalks represents the saltire cross upon which

Saint Andrew Andrew the Apostle ( grc-koi, Ἀνδρέᾱς, Andréās ; la, Andrēās ; , syc, ܐܰܢܕ݁ܪܶܐܘܳܣ, ʾAnd’reʾwās), also called Saint Andrew, was an apostle of Jesus according to the New Testament. He is the brother of Simon Peter ...

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 ''Caesalpinia pulcherrima'' is a species of flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae, native to the tropics and subtropics of the Americas. It could be native to the West Indies, but its exact origin is unknown due to widespread cultivation. Co ...

" 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

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 The Parliament of Barbados is the national legislature of Barbados. It is accorded legislative supremacy by Chapter V of the Constitution of Barbados.Constitution, Chapter V, Part 1; Section 35 The Parliament is bicameral in composition and is ...

. 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 Heroes' Day or National Heroes' Day may refer to a number of commemorations of national heroes in different countries and territories. It is often held on the birthday of a national hero or heroine, or the anniversary of their great deeds that ...

. 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".Government of Barbados – National HeroesHistory of Barbados, The Parliament of Barbados
On the first day of Barbados as a parliamentary presidential republic, the government conferred the title of National Hero to singer

Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...

in 2021, raising the number to eleven National Heroes. The eleven official National Heroes of Barbados are: *

Bussa Bussa's rebellion (14–16 April 1816) was the largest slave revolt in Barbadian history. The rebellion takes its name from the African-born slave, Bussa, who led the rebellion. The rebellion, which was eventually defeated by the colonial mili ...

(−1816) * Sarah Ann Gill (1795–1866) * Samuel Jackman Prescod (1806–1871) * Dr. Charles Duncan O’Neal (1879–1936) * Clement Osbourne Payne (1904–1941) * Sir Grantley Herbert Adams (1898–1971) * Rt. Hon. Errol Walton Barrow (1920–1987) * Sir Hugh Worrell Springer (1913–1994) * Sir Garfield St. Aubyn Sobers (born 1936) * Sir Frank Walcott (1916–1999) *

(born 1988)

References

External links

List of colonial symbols
FOTW

Medals of the World

Hubert de Vries
Great Seals of William + Mary and George III
History box {{DEFAULTSORT:Barbados, National emblem National emblems