The water trampolines in the sea at the Boatyard feature Barbados' flag colors.

I awoke wondering about Barbados’ flag. (You say you didn’t? You must lead a more exciting life than I …)

Today is November 30, Independence Day here in Barbados and a national holiday. The entire island is flagged in celebration.  Even when it’s not Independence Day, the island proudly uses its flag motif in everything from inner tubes to barrels on the street to redirect traffic during construction.

As an American, I have the wonderful Betsy Ross story down pat. What are the origins of Barbados’ flag?

Grantley Prescod, designer of Barbados' flag

Turns out, it’s a wonderful story, too, of a thoughtful creation by a local citizen. He was a school teacher by the name of Grantley Prescod and he designed Barbados’ flag in 1966, the year our small nation became independent from England.

The art teacher’s trident design in blue and yellow won the government competition that drew over 1,000 entrants.  Mr Prescod, who passed away at 77 in 2003, also made a prototype of the flag with sewing help from a neighbor.

Why these colors and this design?

The flag has three vertical blocks of color. The outer two brilliant blue panels represent the sun and beautiful sea that encircles the island; the inner yellow-gold panel represents our warm, golden sand.

The trident in the the center of the gold panel represents the mythical sea god Neptune; each point of the trident represents the three principles of democracy: government of, for, and by the Barbados people. The trident is broken (without a shaft), representing  Barbados’ break with Britain to become an independent nation.

A beautiful flag, flying with much pride in the warm breeze coming off the sea. Exciting!