PROBABLY THE independence symbol most widely used and ever present, but ironically most taken for granted, even ignored, is the Barbados Coat of Arms.
Gracing the face of all denominations of our currency, coins and notes, the Coat of Arms should be instantly recognisable.
This distinctive symbol, what can be termed Barbados’ logo, was presented to Barbados by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on February 14, 1966, during her first visit to the island and some months before Independence.
As with a number of national efforts, the Coat of Arms was a joint effort, in this case, of two Barbadian artists.
The Barbados Coat of Arms was conceptualised by the late Neville Connell, and it was from his rough sketch that artist Hilda Ince, also now dead, executed the detailed drawing. This was sent to the College of Heralds, London, to be approved.
Cultural activity was the basis of Neville Connell’s life, but much of his work was done in an area which, although especially necessary in an Independent country, is not in the public eye in the same way of other forms of expression – that of preserving the heritage of Barbados.
Educated at Harrison College and Cambridge University, as Curator of the Barbados Museum, Connell laid the groundwork for the establishment of the present Barbados Museum and Historical Society.
Sixty-seven when he died in January 1973, it is therefore not surprising that the Coat of Arms Connell inspired, portrays the natural beauty of the island and a number of historical aspects of Barbados’ development, from the bearded fig tree to sugar cane, the dominant Source of income for years, particularly at the time of Independence.
The golden shield and helmet, representative of chivalry, have a bearded fig tree in the centre. These trees used to exist in abundance and Barbados was said to be named after the tree and called “los Barbados” by the Portuguese, for its resemblance to a beard.
On each side of the bearded fig tree, in the top left and right hand corners, is one red “Pride of Barbados” flower. It is believed that this, the national flower of Barbados, is representative of the natural beauty of the island, particularly its flora and fauna.
The crest displays the raised forearm of a Barbadian holding two crossed pieces of cane. The cane reminds of the days when sugar was king, and for centuries the main crop and revenue source of Barbados.
The canes are held in the shape of St Andrew’s cross, probably acknowledging the island’s Christian base.
A pelican supports the right side of the shield. An old ecclesiastical symbol of piety, the pelican bears the name of the island, Pelican Island, which is now merged with the mainland at the Harbour Industrial Park.
The dolphin supporting the left side of the shield, like the pelican, is representative of the island’s close connection to the sea, and also the beauty of the sea around us.
At the bottom of the Coat of Arms is Barbados’ motto, Pride and Industry.
This article was printed in 1987 to mark the 21st anniversary of Independence.
