Barbados flag patch

Size: 6.5 x 4 cm (2.56 x 1.57 inch)

The Barbados flag consists of three equal vertical stripes - the left and right stripes are blue and the middle stripe is yellow/gold. There is a black trident head in the middle of the Barbados flag and a yellow/gold stripe.

Meaning: The left blue stripe represents the sky and the yellow/gold stripe symbolizes the sand. The right blue stripe represents the sea. The trident in the middle of the Barbados flag represents Barbados independence from the British, with each point of the trident representing the three principles of democracy which are government of, for and by the Barbados people.

History: The present day Barbados flag was adopted on Nov. 30, 1966, after Barbados received its independence from the British, who had first settled on the island in 1627.

Interesting Facts: The Barbados flag was designed by an art teacher and was chosen in a nation wide contest. The name Barbados comes from the Portuguese name 'Os Barbados' which means bearded one, because of the bearded fig trees that used to cover the island. There are specific rules in Barbados concerning the national flag. One of the rules states that the flag should not be flown after 6 pm, except inside a building (source: worldflags101).