Coat of Arms

National Flower

Poinciana or Flamboyant

The National Flag*:
                                   The National Flag of St. Kitts and Nevis features green for our fertile lands, yellow for our year-round sunshine, black four our African heritage, and red for our struggle from slavery through colonialism to Independence. It also displays two white stars on a black diagonal bar, symbols of hope and liberty.

Coat of Arms*:
                           The centre of the coat of arms is dominated by a shield at the base of which is a lighter in full sail. The lighter is one of the traditional means of transportation. A red chevron is highlighted by two poinciana flowers.
At the top of the shield on the blue background is the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur de lis and a rose. The Caribs were the early inhabitants of the islands, and the fleur de lis and rose signify the French and English influences.

A helmet topped with the battlements of a tower appears with a flaming torch upheld by the hands of an African, European, and a person of mixed descent. The torch signifies the struggle and quest for freedom by a people of diverse ethnic origins, but united in purpose.

The shield is supported on either side by pelicans with wings extended, displaying a sugar cane plant and the coconut palm tree, which are extensively cultivated throughout St. Kitts and Nevis.

The National Flower*:
                                       The national flower of St. Kitts and Nevis is the Poinciana or flamboyant, named after Monsieur de Poincy, the first French Governor of St. Kitts, who is said to have introduced it to region. Its scientific name is Delonix Regia, and is said to have originated in Madagascar.

The flamboyant is one of the most striking trees of the tropics, with its umbrella-shaped crown and its compound deciduous leaves, and red and yellow scalloped flowers followed by long, black seedpods. It blooms from May to August, and is generally used along roadsides or by itself. A fast-growing tree, it requires a deep soil but tolerates a dry climate.

The National Bird*:
                                   The National bird of St. Kitts and Nevis is the brown pelican, whose scientific name is Pelecanus occidentalis. In its youth, the brown pelican is brown on the head, neck and upper parts of the body, and mostly white below. As it matures, the majority of the body becomes dark brown while the upper part of the head turns white. During the post-nuptial molt the adult's neck turns white. The neck and head are not extended during flight. 

Brown pelicans are sometimes solitary feeders, but may also be found in small flocks as they feed on schools of fish at the surface of the sea. They can be found throughout the West Indies and in the sub-tropical regions of the Americas. They nest in colonies along the coast, in low trees, and in bushes.

* Source: St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service, Ministry of National Security and Information. Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.