The two blue bands represent the sea and sky, and the yellow band represents the sand of the islands. The black trident head (the Trident of Neptune) represents independence, with the broken shaft symbolizing a break from the colonial past.
History
Adopted on November 30, 1966, the day Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom. Grantley W. Prescod's winning design was chosen from among roughly 1,000 entries in a national competition, replacing the colonial Blue Ensign with a distinct national symbol.
Construction
A 2:3 ratio. A vertical tricolor of blue, yellow, and blue, with a black trident head centered in the yellow band.
Color Meanings
blue: The sea and sky surrounding Barbados
yellow: The golden sands of the nation's beaches
black: The trident representing Neptune and sovereignty
