Turks and Caicos Islands
GOVERNMENT

During a meeting of the Executive Council on the 7th December, 1869, members were informed of a request to prepare a “sketch of such badge as it may be proposed should be emblazoned on the flag authorized by Her Majesty [Queen Victoria] to be used in the colony”. A design was submitted in 1870 depicting salt being raked and salt heaps on the beach with a vessel loading in the background. The salt heaps however, were mistaken to be igloos by the designer in London and were represented as such. This error was perpetuated in the colony’s flag for nearly 100 years thereafter, until the adoption of the coat of arms emblem in 1968.

Today, the National Flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ is set on a navy blue background. The islands’ Coat of Arms is located on the right hand side of the flag while a miniature of the British Flag, the Union Jack is situated in the upper left hand corner.

The National Flag is flown on some government buildings from Monday to Friday and is flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to the passing of a government official.

The Coat of Arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands has a base which is shaped like a shield. A Queen Conch Shell, a Spiny Lobster and a Turks Head Cactus, items common to the Turks and Caicos Islands, appear on the shield. At the top of the shield is a wreathe made up of two sisal plants with a pelican between them. The shield is supported on either side by a Flamingo.

The Caicos Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis) is the National Tree of the Turks and Caicos. It is endemic to the islands and is found widely throughout Middle and North Caicos and Pine Cay. The Caicos Caribbean Pine is diverse in its uses, functioning as an ingredient in the making of mosquito repellants, as material for construction of buildings, in decorations and was also widely used in the past to produce some of the finest coal in the islands for cooking and ironing. The Sap of the tree was also used as fuel to light fires. It is home to the endangered Kirtland’s Wharbler.

One of the islands most beautiful endemic species, the Island Heather (Limonium bahamense), is the National Flower of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Deriving its name from its resemblance to the European plant, this distinctive herb can be found growing along salt marshlands, around salt ponds and tidal flats throughout the Turks Islands and the Southern Caicos Islands and cays. In past times, the wood of the Heather was traded to be used as dyes. Today, it is still used to make tea. Unfortunately, however, the Heather is critically endangered and warrants immediate protection.

Brown Pelican

RED - represents the nation's capital, Grand Turk. The colour is taken from the red/pink fruit found on the Turks Head Cactus. They were once found in abundance on Grand Turk before they were removed to accommodate the salt ponds.

WHITE - represents Salt Cay. The colour came from salt. The salt industry was largely responsible for populating the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos.

ORANGE - represents South Caicos and East Caicos. The colour comes from the spiny lobster and reflects the fishing industry in the "Big South".

TAN - represents Middle Caicos. The colour is taken from the raw material (thatch) that once covered the roofs of the houses. It is also used to make straw hats, baskets, and brooms. Middle Caicos is known for the superior quality of native craftwork.

GREEN - represents North Caicos and Parrot Cay. The colour is taken from the fruit trees and other types of trees that flourish in this, the most fertile of all the islands. North Caicos is also home to Wade's Green Plantation, the most successful of the Caicos Islands plantations.

TURQUOISE - represent the islands of Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos. This colour comes from the beautiful turquoise waters that surround these islands on which our famous Caicos fishing sloops sailed. These turquoise waters also contribute to the tourism industry.

PINK - represents the beautiful conch shells, flamingoes, and the numerous uninhabited cays that make up our chain of islands.

YELLOW - represents God's glory as the sun shining down on all of our beautiful islands and cays.

The National Dress of the TCI symbolizes the humble, hard-working life of our ancestors, who raked the salt ponds, toiled in the fields on the various plantations, fished the oceans and harvested conch and sponges on our many islands. Its rainbow of colours boldly highlights our natural beauty and symbolizes the unique characteristics of each of our many islands. It should be worn with pride and dignity, as a statement of our love and respect for this wonderful country, not only by Belongers, but by all who call the Turks and Caicos Islands home." David Bowen, Director of Culture, Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture, Arts and Gender Affairs.

Making its debut on June 1, 2002 during the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations in the nation's capital, the concept of a National Costume induced a new sense of national pride and identity for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Originating as the brainchild of Mr. David Bowen, Director of Culture, the design of the National Costume came as a result of research conducted into the past lifestyles of the first working people of the islands during the early days of colonization.

The traditional dress of the ancestors of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands was very basic and practical. What they wore depicted a simple and humble lifestyle.

The ladies dresses were long and fell near the calf or ankle. These were usually tied or gathered at the waist. Their sleeves were worn either long or short. There were times when the women wore pants under their dresses in the Caicos Islands as a form of protection from mosquitoes and bugs. The men simply wore plain shirts and loose fitting pants that could be easily turned up to the knee while they worked if the need arose. Their clothing was made from materials such as cotton, flour bags and croca sacks as well as hats which were made from dried leaves of the Silver Palm top. The belts were merely a piece of rope.

With all this in mind, a national dress was introduced that suitably signifies the humble lifestyles of the ancestors of the people of the Turks and Caicos along with colours that represent the country's natural beauty and the distinctive features of the islands.