Barbados Coat of Arms

• The helmet represents Barbados’ journey to independence from British colonies.
• The shield represents Barbados’ natural beauty and botanical heritage.
• The motto, pride & industry signifies the spirit of the Bajan people.

The sugar cane represents the sugar industry. It is positioned in a Saltire Cross for St. Andrew’s Day which is also Barbados Independence day. Sugar cane is the official crop of Barbados, and the motivation behind Cropover. About 100,000 tonnes of sugar cane were harvested in Barbados in 2025. 

Pelican island, previously located off the coast of Barbados, was a nesting ground for Brown pelicans, making them the national bird of Barbados. The Brown Pelican is the only pelican species that dives from the air to catch food.

The Pride of Barbados is Barbados’ national flower. The Pride of Barbados is used for medicinal purposes in historical fact and fiction alike. 17th-century observers like Maria Sibylla Merian described its prickly branches as living fences. It is grown in tropical areas around the world today. 

The fish on the Coat of Arms is representative of the fish industry, most notably the flying fish, but it is officially recorded as the Dolphin Fish. Unfortunately, the flying fish population is declining around the island due to climate and habitat changes and overfishing.