NATIONAL EMBLEMS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

THE NATIONAL FLAG

On May 28, 1962 the historic Independence Conference between the British Government and the delegations representing the Colony of Trinidad and Tobago took place at Malborough House in London. On June 8, 1962 the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies announced from London that it had been decided at the Conference that the Colony was to be granted Independence on August 31, 1962.

• The national flag was designed by the Independence Committee and selected to be used as the National Flag in 1962. Its colours are red, white and black.

COAT OF ARMS

. The Birds represented on the Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago are the Scarlet Ibis, the Cocrico (native to Tobago) and the Hummingbird. The three ships represent the Trinity as well as the three ships of Columbus. The three Peaks were principal motifs of Trinidad's early British Colonial Seals and Flag-Badges. They commemorated both Columbus' decision to name Trinidad after the Blessed Trinity and the three Peaks of the Southern mountain range, called the "Three Sisters" on the horizon. The fruited Coconut Palm dates back to the great seals of British Colonial Tobago in the days when the Island was a separate administrative unit.

COAT OF ARMS CONT’D

The Coat of Arms includes Trinidad and Tobago's motto "Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve", which speaks for itself and promotes harmony in diversity or national achievement.

NATIONAL BIRDS

SCARLET IBIS COCRIO

SCARLET IBIS

The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocemus Ruber) is a neo-tropic species of exotic bird wildlife that is found in the Northern parts of South America. The species range from the coastal region of Brazil to the south and Colombia to the north. The greatest population is in Venezuela. Trinidad sits on the continental land shelf of South America off the coastline of Venezuela and as a result the birds can be found in the Caroni Swamp of Central Trinidad. This beautiful bird is brown when young and its colour changes to red when it is mature.

COCRICO

The Cocrico is a native of Tobago and Venezuela but is not found in Trinidad. It is the only game bird on the island and is referred to as the Tobago Pheasant. It is about the size of a common fowl, brownish in colour with a long tail. They go about in flocks of about six (6) and their quaint calls can be heard especially on early morning and late evenings. Both birds are protected by law.

THE NATIONAL FLOWER - CHACONIA

The national flower, the Chaconia, (Warszewiczia Coccinea (Vahl) Kl.), called "Wild Poinsettia" or "Pride of Trinidad and Tobago", is a flaming red forest flower of the family Rubianceae. The title is in honour of the last Spanish Governor of Trinidad and Tobago Don Jose Maria Chacon. This flower, which is known by its long sprays of magnificent vermillion, will be in bloom on every anniversary of our Independence

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM• Forged from the love of liberty,• In the fires of hope and prayer,• 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 our lives to Thee,• Here every creed and race finds an equal place,• And may God bless our Nation,• Here every creed and race finds an equal place,• And may God bless our Nation.

• Patrick S. Castagne composed the words and music of the National Anthem in 1962.

THE NATIONAL PLEDGE• By Marjorie Padmore

• I solemnly pledge• To dedicate my life• To the service of my God• And my country.• I will honour• My parents, my teachers,• My leaders and my elders• And those in authority.• I will be Clean and honest• In all my thoughts,• My words and my deeds.• I will strive In everything I do• To work together with my fellowmen• Of every creed and race• For the greater happiness of all• And the honour and glory• Of my country.

NATIONAL INSTRUMENT-STEELPANThe steelpan is a musical instrument indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago. Its early evolution dates back to the 1930's and 40's. 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 and/or bores, and each convex section is a note tuned to a definite pitch. The range and assortment of today's instruments make it possible to execute from the simplest of melodies to the most complex arrangements found in orchestration.