Meet St. Kitts and Nevis: our Flag, Coat of Arms

2009-02-15 20:25:38 by

The national flag of St. Kitts & Nevis features green for our fertile lands, yellow for our year-round sunshine, black for our African heritage, and red for our struggle from slavery through colonialism to independence. It also displays two white stars on a black diagonal bar, symbols of hope and liberty.

Coat of Arms
The centre of the coat of arms is dominated by a shield at the base of which is a lighter in full sail. The lighter is one of the traditional means of transportation. A red chevron is highlighted by two poinciana flowers.

At the top of the shield on the blue background is the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur de lis and a rose. The Caribs were the early inhabitants of the islands, and the fleur de lis and rose signify the French and English influences. A helmet topped with the battlements of a tower appears with a flaming torch upheld by the hands of an African, European, and a person of mixed descent. The torch signifies the struggle and quest for freedom by a people of diverse ethnic origins, but united in purpose.

The shield is supported on either side by pelicans with wings extended, displaying a sugar cane plant and the coconut palm tree, which are extensively cultivated throughout St. Kitts and Nevis.



(Resource: SKNVibes.com)