The Secret History Behind Trinidad and Tobago's Flag
Trinidad and Tobago's flag was designed by an artist who sat on eight committees at once.
In the three weeks before independence in 1962, Carlisle Chang, a Trinidadian artist, volunteered to serve on eight separate committees, including the one in charge of the national flag and coat of arms. He designed both. The flag was officially adopted on August 31, 1962.
It is a red field crossed by a black diagonal band edged in white. Red, black and white are read as fire, earth and water: the sun and courage, dedication, and purity and equality.
Chang became known as the father of Trinidadian art, and the first artist in the country to make a living entirely from his work.
The date printed on every Trinidad and Tobago design in our catalog, August 31, 1962, is Independence Day.
One artist, eight committees, and a diagonal that says a lot with three colors.
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