The Secret History Behind Antigua and Barbuda's Flag
Antigua and Barbuda's flag was drawn in about half an hour, at the last minute before the deadline.
The design is by Reginald Samuel, an art teacher at an Antiguan high school, who entered a contest in 1967 when the island gained self-government. There were more than 600 entries, and his won the first prize of $500. The flag was adopted on February 27, 1967, and it did not change when the country became independent on November 1, 1981.
Two red triangles form a V, with a yellow half-sun of nine rays rising from a black band above bands of blue and white. The rising sun stands for a new era. Black is read as African ancestry, blue as hope, red as the energy of the people, and the V as victory.
The date printed on every Antigua and Barbuda design in our catalog, November 1, 1981, is Independence Day.
Half an hour, one sun and a whole flag.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.