Upward and Onward: Barbados' Coat of Arms

Today we wanted to feature Barbados' Coat of Arms as it is a National Independence emblem which is forgotten amongst many. The Coat of Arms consist of many different elements which are all important and relevant towards our little rock, Barbados. The Coat of Arms was presented to the President of Senate by Her Majesty the Queen in 1966- the year that Barbados became independent. Before Barbados was granted the Coat of Arms, the only other official seal was The Seal of the Colony- an emblem depicting the British Monarchy standing in a shell chariot being drawn by two sea horses through foaming waters.

As you can see from the Coat of Arms, there are various components which have been carefully thought out that represent Barbados. The golden shield has two Pride of Barbados flowers on it (the National Flower) and the Bearded Fig Tree which represents the time of settlement in Barbados and how Barbados received its name (Los Barbados- a Portuguese term to mean "the bearded ones"). On either side of the shield are the supporters, on one side is the dolphin fish; a representation of the fishing industry in Barbados. On the other side is the Pelican which refers to Pelican Island which was located off of Barbados in the early years and is now incorporated into the Deep Water Harbour Development. Above the shield is a helmet in which a Barbadian's hand hold two pieces of sugar cane crossed. The sugar cane is symbolic of Barbados' sugar industry which has been prominent for many years and the saltire cross represents the cross upon which Saint Andrew was crucified; Saint Andrew's Day is also the same day as Barbados' Independence (November 30th). As you can see at the bottom of the emblem has the motto "Pride and Industry". A phrase which is regarded highly in Barbados.

So there you have it- A little insight into the representations and meanings behind this beautifully and insightfully designed Barbadian emblem. Did you know what the elements of the emblem meant?