The  Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago was designed by a committee formed  in 1962 to select the symbols that would be representative of the people  of Trinidad and Tobago. The committee included noted artist Carlyle Chang  and designer the late George Bailey.
The Coat of Arms with the accompanying motifs which represent indigenous  features of Trinidad and Tobago were selected and formally agreed to be  used as the Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago in 1962, in a design approved  by the College of Arms.

The Birds represented on the Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago are the  Scarlet Ibis, the Cocrico (native to Tobago) and the Hummingbird. The  three ships represent the Trinity as well as the three ships of Columbus.  The three Peaks were principal motifs of Trinidad's early British Colonial  Seals and Flag-Badges. They commemorated both Columbus' decision to name  Trinidad after the Blessed Trinity and the three Peaks of the Southern  mountain range, called the "Three Sisters" on the horizon. The fruited  Coconut Palm dates back to the great seals of British Colonial Tobago  in the days when the Island was a separate administrative unit.
Our Motto: Together we aspire, Together we achieve" - speaks for  itself and promotes harmony in diversity for national achievement.

Arms: Per chevron enhanced sable and gules a chevrenel enhanced  argent between a chief two Hummingbirds respectant gold and in base three  ships of the period of Christopher Columbus also gold the sails set proper.

Crest: Upon a Wreath argent and gules in front of a Palm Tree proper  a ship's wheel gold.

Supporters: Upon a Compartment representing two Islands arising  from the sea, on the dexter side a Scarlet Ibis and on the sinister side  a Cocrico, both proper and with wings elevated and addorsed.

THE  NATIONAL FLAG

The  national flag was designed by the Independence Committee and selected  to be used as the National Flag in 1962. Its colours are Red, White and  Black.
Red is the colour most expressive of our country. It represents the  vitality of the land and its people; it is the warmth and energy of the  sun, the courage and friendliness of the people.
White is the sea by which these lands are bound: the cradle of our  heritage; the purity of our aspirations and the equality of all men under  the sun.
The Black represents for us the dedication of the people joined  together by one strong bond. It is the colour of strength, of unity, of  purpose and of the wealth of the land. The colours chosen represent the  elements Earth, Water and Fire which encompass all our past, present and  future and inspire us as one united, vital, free and dedicated people.

Description of the National Flag of Trinidad and Tobago: On a Red  Field, a Bend Dexter Sable bordered Silver, that is to say, there is on  the Red Field a diagonal from left to right in Black bordered with White.  The width of the Black and White bands joined side by side at the upper  dexter corner of the Flag is on one- fifth of the full length of the Flag,  and the width of each White band is one-sixth of the width of the White  and Black bands together.

The  national flower, the Chaconia, (Warszewiczia Coccinea (Vahl) Kl.), called "Wild Poinsettia" or "Pride of Trinidad and Tobago" is a  flaming red forest flower of the family Rubianceae. The title is in honour  of the last Spanish Governor of Trinidad and Tobago Don Jose Maria Chacon.  This flower, which is known by its long sprays of magnificent vermillion,  will be in bloom on every anniversary of our Independence. As an indigenous  flower it has been witness to our entire history. It can therefore be  said to represent the imperishability of life and the continuity of our  Nation. With its colour matching the flaming red of our Flag and Coat  of Arms and bearing the same symbolism, the Chaconia harmonizes with the  other national Emblems.

NATIONAL  BIRDS

THE  SCARLET IBIS (Tantalus Ruber) - is to be found  in the Caroni Swamp, Central Trinidad. This beautiful bird is brown when  young and its colour changes to red when it is mature.

THE  COCRICO (Rufus Tailed Guan) is a native of Tobago  and Venezuela but is not found in Trinidad. It is the only game bird on  the island and is referred to as the Tobago Pheasant. It is about the  size of a common fowl, brownish in colour with a long tail. They go about  in flocks of about six (6) and their quaint calls can be heard especially  on early morning and late evenings. Both birds are protected by law.

THE  NATIONAL ANTHEM Cick here to hear the anthem

Forged from the love of liberty,
In the fires of hope and prayer,
With boundless faith in our Destiny,
We solemnly declare,
Side by side we stand,
Islands of the blue Caribbean Sea,
This our Native Land,
We pledge our lives to Thee,
Here every creed and race finds an equal place,
And may God bless our Nation,
Here every creed and race finds an equal place,
And may God bless our Nation.
 

 Patrick S. Castagne  composed the words and music of the National Anthem in 1962. The words  of the National Anthem reflect the nature and the strength of the people  of Trinidad and Tobago our courage as one nation working towards living  in unity despite our diversity. The National Anthem should be accorded  the respect due to it when played, and on no occasion should it be treated  with scant courtesy. When the Anthem is being played all persons should  pay respect to it by standing to attention. Men in civilian dress should  remove their headdress. Commissioned Officers of the Armed Forces, Gazetted  Officers of the Police Service, Cadet Force Officers and Officers of the  Fire Services, Prisons Service, St John Ambulance Brigade, Red Cross Society,  Boy Scouts Association and Girl Guides Association, in uniform are to  salute. All other ranks and all other persons are to stand to attention.

Prepared  by: The Ministry of Public Administration And Information #13-15 St Clair  Avenue, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago Tel: 622-1131

THE  NATIONAL INSTRUMENT

 The National Instrument of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago The steelpan  is a musical instrument indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago whose early  evolution dates back to the 1930's and 40's. Traditionally made from a  steel drum or container, it is a definite percussion instrument in the  idophone class. The playing surface is divided into convex sections by  channel, groves and / or bores and each convex section is a note tuned  to a definite pitch. The range and assortment of today's instruments makes  it possible to execute the simplest of melodies to the most complex arrangements  found in orchestration.