National Symbols

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Our National Symbols are representative of our rich history and culture. They define us as a people – Jamaicans who are proud of our heritage.

The Turks and Caicos National Flag Design

The Turks and Caicos Islands Flag has a blue background. It bears the Union Jack, or the flag of UK, at the Upper left-hand corner on the hoist side of the flag, being an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The rest of the flag represents the coat of arms shield of Turks and Caicos Islands. The shield displays a conch shell, a crayfish (lobster) and a cactus. All these symbols stand for nature's bounty found in Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Turks and Caicos Coat of Arms

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.

National Tree

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 repellents, 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 Kirkland's Wharbler

National Flower

One of the island's 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 Europeanplant, 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, the Heather is critically endangered and warrants immediate protection

National Costume

The national dress is based on the humble lifestyles of the first working people of the islands during the early days of colonization of the Turks and Caicos. The traditional dress of the ancestors of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands was very basic and practical. A national was introduced along with colours that represent the country's beauty and the distinctive features of the islands.

The National Bird

The Nationsl bird, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus Occidentalis) is the smallest of the eight species of pelicanalthough it is a large bird in nearly every other regard. It has a brown and gray body and a white head with a light brown crown. Its neck is dark brown during breeding season. Young pelicans are all brown

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