Trinidad and Tobago

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Adopted	August 31, 1962
Designed by	Carlisle Chang
Proportions	3:5

The flag of Trinidad and Tobago is a red background with a black diagonal stripe (going from the top-left to the bottom-right) outlined in white. In blazon, Gules, a bend Sable fimbriated Argent.

Symbolism

Color	Symbolism
Red	Citizens, solar power
White	Caribbean Sea, purity
Black	Labour, strength, unity, wealth

Flag Colors

Color	Color Name	HEX	Color of
	Philippine Red	#C8102E	1st and 5th Band
	White	#FFFFFF	2nd and 4th Band
	Black	#000000	3rd Band

Construction

The width of the white stripes is ¹⁄₃₀ of the flag length and the width of the black stripe is ²⁄₁₅. The total width of the three stripes together is, therefore, ¹⁄₅ of the length.

History

Up until 1962, Trinidad and Tobago was a colony of the British Empire, so like other various colonies, its flag was a Blue Ensign with the colony's badge in the fly. The badge of the colony would later be changed in 1958.

During 1958, Trinidad and Tobago and various colony islands in the Caribbean, attempted to create a union between themselves, under the name of the West Indies Federation, which the union would later adopt an official flag. The union would later collapse in 1962 (for more info, see its Wikipedia page).

Jamaica would hold a referendum to secede, and Trinidad and Tobago would pass a resolution, to also secede. Both became fully independent countries, and would later adopt the flags they have today.

Trinidad and Tobago (1889–1958)

Trinidad and Tobago (red ensign) (1889–1958)

Trinidad and Tobago (1958–1962)

Trinidad and Tobago (red ensign) (1958–1962)

Trinidad and Tobago (since 1962)

Other flags

Ensigns

The civil ensign is identical to the national flag, but in a 1:2 ratio. The naval ensign is a Saint George's cross with the Trinidadian flag in the top-left corner.

President's flag

Main article: Trinidad and Tobago/President

The President's flag is blue with the presidential emblem in orange.

Queen Elizabeth II's royal standard

Main article: Trinidad and Tobago/Royal Standard

As Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, her personal flag was first flown in 1966 on her visit. It was the coat of arms in banner form, which depicts the colours of the national flag. The gold ships represent the three ships Christopher Columbus used on his voyage. The two birds above are hummingbirds. A blue disc of the crowned letter "E", surrounded by a garland of gold roses defaced the flag (obscuring the centre ship), which is taken from the Queen's Personal Flag.

This flag ceased to be used when Trinidad and Tobago became a republic in 1976.

References

Unfeatured Article	Trinidad and Tobago
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