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Flag of Trinidad and Tobago

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Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
The Sun-Sea-Sand Banner
UseNational flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion3:5
Adopted31 August 1962; 62 years ago (1962-08-31)
DesignA red field with a white-fimbriated black diagonal band from the upper hoist-side to the lower fly-side.
Designed byCarlisle Chang
Civil ensign of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
UseCivil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:2
DesignA red field with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist-side to the lower fly-side.
Naval ensign of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
UseNaval ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:2
DesignA White Ensign with the National Flag in the canton

The flag of Trinidad and Tobago was adopted upon independence from the United Kingdom on 31 August 1962. Designed by Carlisle Chang (1921–2001),[1][2][3] the flag of Trinidad and Tobago was chosen by the independence committee of 1962. Red, black and white symbolise fire (the sun, representing courage), earth (representing dedication) and water (representing purity and equality).[4]

It is one of the few national flags incorporating a diagonal line (heraldic bend), with other examples including the DR Congo, Tanzania, Namibia, and Brunei. It is one of two national flags with two-fold rotational symmetry, symmetry group C2, the other being the Union Jack.

Design

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Trinidadian flags flying at the University of the West Indies in Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

The flag of Trinidad and Tobago is a red field with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly-side. In blazon, Gules, a bend Sable fimbriated Argent. It was designed by Carlisle Chang.[5]

Construction

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The flag of Trinidad and Tobago flying at the San Fernando Hill, San Fernando in July 2009.

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.[6]

  • Flag construction sheet
    Flag construction sheet

Other flags

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The civil ensign is the national flag in a 1:2 ratio. The naval ensign (used by Coast Guard vessels) is a British white ensign with the national flag in the canton.

British colonial flag

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Prior to independence from the United Kingdom in August 1962, Trinidad and Tobago used a British blue ensign defaced with a badge depicting a ship arriving in front of a mountain.

  • Colonial flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1889–1958)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagColonial flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1889–1958)
  • Red ensign of Trinidad and Tobago (1889–1958)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagRed ensign of Trinidad and Tobago (1889–1958)
  • Colonial flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1958–1962)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagColonial flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1958–1962)
  • Red ensign of Trinidad and Tobago (1958–1962)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagRed ensign of Trinidad and Tobago (1958–1962)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Carlisle Chang" Archived 2016-09-11 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
  2. ^ "National flag of Trinidad and Tobago - Carlisle Chang", YouTube.
  3. ^ Carlisle Chang biography Archived 2015-07-11 at the Wayback Machine, NALIS.
  4. ^ National Flag Archived 2021-10-22 at the Wayback Machine". Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  5. ^ Chang, Carlisle (1998). "Chinese in Trinidad Carnival". The Drama Review. 43 (3): 213–19. doi:10.1162/105420498760308571. JSTOR 1146692. S2CID 57571669.
  6. ^ Flagspot
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