Government of Antigua and Barbuda

Our National Symbols

National Flag
	Designed by Mr. Reginald Samuel in a 1966. The seven point Golden Sun symbolises the dawn of a new era. Red: symbolises lifeblood of slave forefathers and dynamism of the people. Blue: symbolises hope. Black: symbolises the soil and African heritage. Gold, Blue and White: Antigua and Barbuda's tourist attraction - sun, sea and sand. "V": Victory at last! The flag was adopted on February 27, 1967.

Coat of Arms & Motto
Originally Designed by: Mr. Gordon Christopher Modified by: Mr. Don Cribbs	"EACH ENDEAVOURING, ALL ACHIEVING” " was composed by Mr. James H. Carrot M.B.E The PINEAPPLE surmounting the arms represents the famous Antigua Black Pineapple. The red HIBISCUS flowers are symbolic of the many varieties that bloom in the Nation. The golden SUN and the wavy blue and white BANDS symbolise the Sea, Sun and Beaches. The central SUGAR MILL TOWER and the stem of SUGAR CANE echoes the historic production of sugar, once the main industry. The Century Plant or DAGGER POLE with its stem and showy golden yellow flowers was a part of the historic emblem of Antigua and the Leeward Islands. The two rampant DEER depict the only large animal within the Eastern Caribbean and that is unique to Antigua and Barbuda. The SCROLL bears the motto of the Nation.

National Dress
Designed by Heather Doram	Worn by market vendors and cake makers in Antigua and Barbuda, circa 1834. (This version designed by native Antiguan Heather Doram.) "National Day" is when many Antiguans proudly wear their national clothing, serve or eat local food and drinks, and attend national prayer services. (Photo by Timothy Payne).

National Flower
	The Dagger Log's (Agave karatto Miller) yellow flowers rises from the large rosette formed by the Agave plant. Years ago, fishing rafts were made from the flower's log (or stem) and fishing bait was made from the white interior pulp of the leaves.

National Animal
	Thought to be brought to our nation by the Codringtons in the early 1700s, the European Fallow (Dama dama dama) deer live and breed happily on Barbuda and Guiana island. They do not live on any other Eastern Caribbean island. There are two varieties, black and common.

National Fruit
	Originally introduced by the Arawakan speaking people, the Antiguan Black Pineapple (Ananas comosus) was used for making twine, cloth and for healing purposes. Today it is mainly grown on the south side of Antigua.

National Tree
	The Whitewood (Bucida buceras/font L), a wide-spreading ornamental shade tree with nearly horizontal branches, is part of the Combretun family and related to the mangroves and almond trees. Its timber is heavy and hard and was once used for making gun carriages. Because of its "black heart," the tree was once known as "Black Gregory."

National Bird
	The Frigate (Fregata magnificens L) is also known as Man-o'-War or Weather bird. Relatives of the pelicans, the male is glossy black. To attract females, he blows up his scarlet throat. The females have white breasts. Frigates weigh about three pounds, have a wing span of eight (8) feet, a deeply forked tail and fly about 22 miles per hour (mph).

National Sea Creature
	As distinguished by its narrow pointed beak and often jagged edge on both sides of the shell, the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) was originally perceived as a gift from Caribs, Arawaks and archaic gods. Once actively hunted for its highly valued "tortoise shell," the Hawksbill is now on the endangered list.

National Stone
	Wood becomes petrified (fossilised) when buried for extended periods of time in mud containing volcanic ash. Antigua's petrified wood, belongs to the Oligocene period of geological time. Petrified wood fragments may still be found scattered throughout central Antigua