ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FLAG: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The flag of Antigua and Barbuda is the main national symbol of that small Caribbean country. Its colors, shape and symbols present it stand out from its peers. The flag is divided into a V shape. On the outer parts of the V, on the left and right sides, the flag has two red triangles.

The central triangle is divided into three stripes: a large black one, with a yellow rising sun; a small one, which is light blue; and white, which completes the triangle. The way of choosing this flag was through a competition, in which more than 600 local artists participated.

Finally, the sculptor Sir Reginald Samuel was the winner, who designed the current flag of Antigua and Barbuda. Since that time, the model has remained unchanged. The flag of Antigua and Barbuda has a unique shape in the world, since its V-shaped division is not repeated in other flags.

The design tried to combine the ancestral relationship of the Antiguan people with the natural and social riches of the country. In addition, the designed flag takes into account the birth of the new nation and the achievement of self-government.

History

The British Empire ruled the seas of the world for centuries. This country saw its power diminish during the 19th and 20th centuries, in which it lost a large part of its colonies; however, the Caribbean remained a British, French and Dutch colonial power. The end of this domain did not take long.

In 1958 the United Kingdom granted partial independence to all its colonies in the Caribbean. These were grouped in a semi-dependent state, called the Federation of the West Indies. This system was dissolved and Antigua and Barbuda became a colony again.

Flag selection contest

In 1966 in Antigua and Barbuda a public competition was held to choose the best flag proposal. This would be the one adopted by the new Associated State of Antigua and Barbuda.

The contest gave as a prize 500 dollars and the choice of the flag as the national one. Artist Reginald Samuel inscribed his flag at the last minute of the deadline; moreover, he designed it in just half an hour.

Samuel's rush was such that he ran to buy an envelope to send the project to the administration building. Samuel is an artist, sculptor, painter and teacher, who has spent his entire career and life in Antigua. Despite the speed, his project was the winner.

Samuel was distinguished with the title of Sir. In 2006 he was recognized by the government of Antigua and Barbuda along with twelve other people for his contribution to sports in the country.

Adoption of the flag

The flag of Antigua and Barbuda was first adopted in 1967. That year it went from being a colony to an Associated State of the United Kingdom. From that moment the flag became the symbol of the islands, thus replacing the blue colonial flag with a shield.

Together with the flag, the anthem, the coat of arms and the motto of the then autonomous colony were elaborated. To inform the country of its choice, the flag was displayed on a billboard outside the administrative building.

This place, near the post office, was chosen to make known what would be the national symbols. Currently that billboard is kept in the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.

The flag changed status with the independence of the country. Antigua and Barbuda became a sovereign state on November 1, 1981. This led to the establishment of the flag of the former state associated with the independent country.

Meaning

Five colors are those that make up the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. Its design stands out among its Caribbean peers due to the differentiated presence of colors. In addition, it is striking for the adoption of red (Trinidad and Tobago was the only country that also did it and, slightly, Grenada and Dominica).

In addition, it is also important to note that the Oceania model was not chosen in the Caribbean. This means that the flags of the independent countries did not maintain the British Union Jack.

There is no official or legal meaning of the colors. However, they commonly have important attributions. The black color represents the soil and the African ancestors of the Antigua population. Instead, the red outside the V of the flag is a color that represents energy.

Also, the color blue can signify elegance and hope. Other beliefs also attribute the meaning of representing the Caribbean Sea that surrounds the islands of Antigua and Barbuda.

This marine influence is also relevant, since the combination of yellow, blue and white can mean sun, sea and sand, respectively.

Meaning of the V and the color scheme

The form of division of the flag may also be represented. The V into which it is divided is a clear representative of the symbol of victory. In addition, the combination of the yellow, blue and white rising sun represents a sunrise or sunset by the sea.

The sun has seven points that act as rays; their main symbolism is that they represent the arrival of a new era. The number of the seven points has been the subject of controversy. Some say it refers to the seven parishes into which Barbuda is divided; however, the designer has not commented on the matter.

Other models

The flag of Antigua and Barbuda has a unique design, which corresponds to the national flag. However, the national flag, also called the naval flag, is different.

This design is only used by the country's coast guard. For its composition, the flag is divided into a red cross, leaving four large rectangles. In the one above and to the left will be the Antigua and Barbuda flag. Instead, the other three will remain white.

References

1. Antigua and Barbuda's Government Information and Services. (sf). Our National Symbols. Antigua and Barbuda's Government Information and Services. Recovered from ab.gov.ag.
2. Birnbaum, A. and Birnbaum, S. (1989). Birnbaum's Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas 1990. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, United States.
3. Dockyard Museum and Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. (sf). Victory at last. Old Nice. Recovered from Antiguanice.com.
4. Kras, SL (2008). Antigua and Barbuda (Vol. 26). Marshall Cavendish. Recovered from books.google.es.
5. Smith, W. (2011). Flag of Antigua and Barbuda. Encyclopædia Britannica. Recovered from britannica.com.