Barbados - Colonial Flag

Last modified: 2001-11-03 by dov gutterman
Keywords: barbados | neptune | britannia | trident |
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1885 - 1958
by Jaume Ollé, 16 September 2000

• Colonial Flags - Overview
• Colonial Flag 1958-1966
• Colonial Badge 1885-1958

see also:

• Barbados
• West Indies

Colonial Flags - Overview

The old flag of Barbados (blue ensign with Neptune) was in use until 1958, and also in the governor's flag (UJ with a white disk with wreath). After a short period in the West Indies Federation, on 1961 Barbados became autonomous, and a new shield was granted. The new shield was probably used in the blue ensign (within a white disk) and in the UJ of the governor (within a white disk with wreath). The current national flag was adopted on 30 November 1966.
Jaume Ollé, 5 May 1997

The image above is the 19th Cent. flag (used until 1966).
source: Znamierowski's "The World Encyclopedia of Flags" [zna99].
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 11 September 2000

Looking at historical flags of BB - it is not quite clear when was the flag with Neptune used? What was before and what afterwards. What is the CoA granated in 1961 (the current national CoA?). Do we have any confirmation of the flags in 1961-66 period?
Also the comment by Blas Delgado Ortiz is rather vague and not at all helpful in understanding the BB history (especially in the view of 1961 CoA grant).
Zeljko Heimer, 24 Febuary 2001

Blas exactly refers to the illustration p. 108 (bottom) at [zna99], with two rows of three Blue Ensigns each. In the first row there is Barbados (XIXth century - 1966).
Ivan Sache, 25 Febuary 2001

There are a number of errors in the reports on Barbados Colonial Flag. The figure in the badge is Britannia not Neptune. As far as I know this is incorrect that this badge was use only until 1958 and the badge continued to be used until 1966. There was no "new shield" in connection with internal self-government in 1961.
The badge on the Blue Ensign labelled 1958 to 1966 is the Arms which were not granted until 21 Dec 1965.
Barbados joined the Federation of the West Indies in January 1958 and remained in it until 1962 when it came to an end with the withdrawal of Jamaica.  In May 1962 Barbados helped form the West Indies Federation which had its federal capital in Barbados.  The Federation was abandoned in 1966 and Barbados became independent.
David Prothero, 6 October 2001

The reason she holds a trident, according to Politikens Flagbook, is to symbolize her rule over the seas (or if you prefer "the waves").
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 7 October 2001

Colonial Flag 1958-1966

by Jaume Ollé

Colonial Badge 1855-1958

by Juan Manuel Gabino, 27 September 2000