Flag of Trinidad and Tobago

Flag origins

Trinidad and Tobago's flag has a red field crossed from upper hoist to lower fly by a black diagonal band edged in white. Selected by the independence committee in 1962, its official symbolism relates to earth, water and fire: red for sunlight, energy, vitality, courage and friendliness; white for the connecting sea, pure aspirations and equality; black for dedication, strength, unity and the land's wealth. It replaced the Union Jack at independence on 31 August 1962.

Flag story

The country is the birthplace of the steelpan, developed from metal containers during the 1930s and 1940s and now its national instrument. Trinidad's Spanish name refers to the Trinity; the traditional naming story links Columbus's sighting of three peaks with the Christian Holy Trinity. The three-peak motif also entered colonial and national heraldry.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Trinidad and Tobago — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

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