The colours chosen represent the elements of the Earth, Water and Fire which
encompass all our past, present and future; and inspire us as one united,
free and dedicated people.
The Black represents the dedication of the people
joined together by one strong bond. It is the colour of strength, unity of
purpose and the wealth of the land. Red is the colour most expressive of our
country; it represents the vitality of the land and its peoples; it is the
warmth and energy of the sun, the courage and friendliness of the people. White
is the sea by which these lands are bound; the cradle of our heritage; the
purity of our aspirations and the equality of men and women under the sun.
The National Flag was designed by Trinidadian artist Carlisle
Chang. Mr. Chang has been involved in the promotion of art, he is the recipient
of the Hummingbird Medal for Community Service. (To
download the flag right click on it and left click on the " save picture as" option.)
The
Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago was
designed in 1962 by a committee of distinguished citizens established to select
and design the country's national emblems. Committee members included noted
artist Carlyl Chang and Carnival Designer George Bailey. The Coat of Arms
incorporates important historical and indigenous elements of Trinidad and Tobago
in a design approved by the College of Arms. The elements of this emblem are:
The Shield, the Helm of special design, the Mantle which covers the Helm, the
Wreath to hold the Mantle in place, the Crest, the Supporters and the Motto. At
the top is the Crest - a ship's wheel in gold in front of a fruited coconut
palm. This palm had always been the central figure on the Great Seals of British
Colonial Tobago. Beneath the wheel is the wreath which holds the mantle in
place. The Helm is a gold helmet facing front which represents the Queen. The
devices on the Shield are the humming birds. The three gold ships represent the
Trinity; the discovery of the islands, the three ships of Columbus; the sea that
brought our people together; the commerce and wealth of the country. The
National Flag's colours can also be found repeated on the Shield. The Supporters
are a Scarlet Ibis for Trinidad on the left and a Cocorico for Tobago on the
right. Both are shown in their natural colours. The Three Peaks may have been
chosen to commemorate Columbus's decision to name Trinidad after the Blessed
Trinity or the same three peaks called the "Three Sisters" which a
sailor on Columbus's ship saw rising from the south of the island. Inscribed on
the motto scroll are the words: "Together
We Aspire; Together We Achieve." (To
download the Coat of Arms right click on it and left click on the "save picture
as" option.)
The National Birds
The Scarlet Ibis or Flament (Eudocimus ruber) (left)
makes its home in the Caroni Bird
Sanctuary located in the Caroni Swamp,Central
Trinidad, a protected wetland area
approximately fifteen thousand
acres comprising of marshland, tidal lagoons, and mangrove trees. The Scarlet
Ibis nest and roost in the sanctuary and are often seen in large numbers
during the last two hours of daylight. The breeding season is from April to August. These birds feed mainly
on crabs which they seek out on the mud flats exposed at low tide and roots of the red mangrove.
Brown, when young, the colour of the Scarlet Ibis changes at maturity to a
brilliant red. The Cocrico (Ortalis ruficauda) (right)
is a tropical pheasant indigenous
to Tobago and Venzuela. Not found in Trinidad, it is the only game bird
on the
sister isle and is commonly referred to as Tobago Pheasant. The mature
bird is
approximately the size of a chicken, is brown in colour and has a long
tail. They tend to inhabit the higher areas of the island amidst the
forest
and sometimes the dry scrubby lands bordering cultivated areas. (Reference:
Richard Ffrench, . The Birds.
David Frost Introduces Trinidad & Tobago. Edited by Michael Anthony
and Andrew Carr. Copyright � 1975 by Andr� Deutsh Limited.)
The National Anthem
Forged from the love of liberty, In the fires of hope
and pray, With boundless faith in our Destiny, We solemnly declare, Side by side
we stand, Islands of the blue Caribbean Sea, This our native land, We
pledge ourselves to Thee, Here every creed and race find an equal place, And may
God bless our Nation, Here every creed and race finds an equal place, And may
God bless our nation.
In 1962 it was submitted to a nationwide
contest to select a National Anthem for Trinidad and Tobago. The winner of the
contest was Patrick Castagne who composed the lyrics and music. Apart from composing our national anthem, he also wrote
the very popular "The Iceman" a witty calypso which was a road
march hit in the 60s and "Kiss me for Christmas" a favorite
Caribbean Christmas ballad. Castagne was also the recipient of the
Chaconia medal and the British MBE. He died this year (2000).
The National Flower
The
National Flower, the Chaconia, also called the "Wild Poinsettia", is a
flaming red forest flower. Belonging to the family Rubiaiaceae, this flower owes
its botanical name Warszewiczia Coccinea to the Polish - Lithuanian plant
collector Joseph Warszewich. The title Chaconia was given in honour
of the last and most progressive Spanish Governor of Trinidad, Don Jose Maria
Chacon
The National Instrument
The
Steelpan is a musical instrument indigenous to Trinidad & Tobago whose early
evolution dates back to the 1930s and 40s. Traditionally made from a steel drum
or container, it is a definite percussion instrument in the idophone class. The
playing surface is divided into convex sections, by channels, grooves or
bores and each convex section is a note tuned to a definite pitch. The range and
assortment of todays instruments makes it possible to execute the simplest of
melodies to the most complex arrangements found in orchestration.
Reference Trinidad & Tobago National
Emblems, Images courtesy the Information Division, Prime Ministers Office Port
of Spain, Special thanks to Randall at the Division's Library
The colours chosen represent the elements of the Earth, Water and Fire which
encompass all our past, present and future; and inspire us as one united,
free and dedicated people.
The Black represents the dedication of the people
joined together by one strong bond. It is the colour of strength, unity of
purpose and the wealth of the land. Red is the colour most expressive of our
country; it represents the vitality of the land and its peoples; it is the
warmth and energy of the sun, the courage and friendliness of the people. White
is the sea by which these lands are bound; the cradle of our heritage; the
purity of our aspirations and the equality of men and women under the sun. 
The
Coat of Arms
located in the Caroni Swamp,Central
Trinidad, a 
protected wetland area
approximately fifteen thousand
acres comprising of marshland, tidal lagoons, and mangrove trees. The Scarlet
Ibis nest and roost in the sanctuary and are often seen in large numbers
during the last two hours of daylight. The breeding season is from April to August. These birds feed mainly
on crabs which they seek out on the mud flats exposed at low tide and roots of the red mangrove.
Brown, when young, the colour of the Scarlet Ibis changes at maturity to a
brilliant red. The Cocrico (Ortalis ruficauda) (right)
is a tropical pheasant indigenous
to Tobago and Venzuela. Not found in Trinidad, it is the only game bird
on the
sister isle and is commonly referred to as Tobago Pheasant. The mature
bird is
approximately the size of a chicken, is brown in colour and has a long
tail. They tend to inhabit the higher areas of the island amidst the
forest
and sometimes the dry scrubby lands bordering cultivated areas. (Reference:
Richard Ffrench, . The Birds.
David Frost Introduces Trinidad & Tobago. Edited by Michael Anthony
and Andrew Carr. Copyright � 1975 by Andr� Deutsh Limited.)
The
Steelpan is a musical instrument indigenous to Trinidad & Tobago whose early
evolution dates back to the 1930s and 40s. Traditionally made from a steel drum
or container, it is a definite percussion instrument in the idophone class. The
playing surface is divided into convex sections, by channels, grooves or
bores and each convex section is a note tuned to a definite pitch. The range and
assortment of todays instruments makes it possible to execute the simplest of
melodies to the most complex arrangements found in orchestration.
