The Barbados National Flag

The Barbados Flag

The Composition

The National Flag of Barbados is made up of (3) vertical panels the outer panels are ultramarine which represents the sea and sky of Barbados.
The center panel of gold represents the sand on its beaches with a broken Trident in the middle of the flag.
This Trident symbolizes the trident of the mythical Sea God Neptune and appeared in the seal of the colony, which was replaced by the Barbados Coat of Arms.
The broken Trident in the National Flag represents the breaking away of its Historical and Constitutional ties as a former colony.

The Designer

Grantley Prescod - Designer of the Flag of Barbados

Grantley Prescod
1926 - 2003
Designer of the
Flag of Barbados

The Barbados National Flag was designed by Grantley W. Prescod who was born in 1926. It was chosen from a Government organized open competition of 1,029 entries of which gained him a gold medal. Mr Prescod attended the St. Barnabus Boys School, taught for a while then took a one year course during 1962-63 at the West of England College of Art for Specialist Teachers of Art. He also received a certificate in Education from Bristol University and later during 1970-72 went after the Master of Education Degree majoring in Art Education at Temple University, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
Mr. Prescod died on November 12, 2003

Code of Etiquette

Dimensions of the Barbados National Flag: Proportions

Flags flown on land and at sea - (3:2)

How to Display the National Flag

The Flag should be of regulation appearance and should not be faded or bleached. If torn the flag should be repaired before being hoisted.
The flag-mast, when erected on land, should be placed upright while in a central or conspicuous place. On buildings the flag-mast should either be placed in an upright position on the roof or fixed at an angle on the front of the building or from a balcony.
The Flag-mast should be painted white.
The Barbados Flag should always be flown above all other flags. When several flags are flown on one halyard the Barbados flag is placed at the peak. When the Flags of two or more nations are displayed together they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height and all flags should be, as far as possible, of the same size. The flag of one nation should not be displayed above that of another.
No other flag, colour, standard, ensign or other emblem should be displayed above or to the right of the National Flag. (your left when facing the flag)
When two flags are placed against a wall with crossed staffs, the Barbados Flag should be at the right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. When a number of flags are grouped and displayed from staffs the Barbados Flag should be at the Centre and at the highest point of the group.
The national Flag should always be the first to be hoisted and the last to be lowered when flown with other flags.
The Flag may be displayed flat above and behind the speaker in a church or in an auditorium. If on a staff, it should be at the right off the speaker as he faces the congregation or audience. Other flags should be at the speaker's left. If the flag is displayed on a staff elsewhere than on a platform or chancel it should be at the right of the audience or congregation as they face the speaker. It should not cover a speaker's desk or be draped in front of a platform.
The national Flag shall not be flown on a motor car without the permission of the minister, except on a day of special significance.
Where the National Flag is flown on a motor car in accordance, it shall be affixed to a small staff erected on the right front fender of the motor car so that the flag should be above the bonnet of that motor car.

A citizen may fly the flag on a day of special significance provided he flies the flag from an upright staff on the front of his dwelling or place of business.

When to Display the Flag

The National Flag will be flown every day from the Public Buildings, Trafalgar Square, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It may be flown daily from Government buildings and schools when they are in session, and places of business.
The Flag of Barbados should not be flown after 6:00 p.m. except inside a building. However, on important ceremonial occasions the flag may be flown in the open after 6:00 pm when it should be floodlit if possible.

The Flag in a Parade

The National Flag should be held on the marching right or in front of the centre of the line of flags when carried with another flag or flags. When the flag is passing in a parade or in a review or during the ceremony of hoisting or lowering of the Flag, all persons present should face the Flag and stand at attention.

The Flag at half-staff
The lowering of the flag by its own depth from the peak of the staff.

The National Flag is flown at half staff in mourning.
The Flag of Barbados should first be raised to the peak and then lowered to half staff when flown at half-staff. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered.
The Cabinet is responsible for the decision on the occasions on which the flag should be flown at half-staff.

Prohibited uses of the Flag

The National Flag should not be dipped to any person or thing, except in accordance with maritime practice.
The Flag of Barbados should never be flown with the trident inverted except as a signal of distress.
The Barbados Flag should not be displayed on a float, motorcar or other vehicle or on a boat, except from a staff or masthead.
The Flag should not have placed on it or attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing.
The Flag should never be used as a receptacle. It should not be used to cover a statue or monument.
The Flag should not be used for purposes of adornment or advertising. It should not be printed on, or reproduced on articles clothing or furniture.
The Flag when on display should not be allowed to touch anything beneath it such as furniture, floors, trees, plants, vehicles, buildings, water or the earth.

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