The new design for Trinidad and Tobago’s coat of arms has been presented, replacing Columbus’ three ships with a steelpan. The new arms coat will include two pan sticks and a gold steel pan.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government Communications division revealed that “The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which allows for the replacement of illustrations representing ships led by explorer Christopher Columbus, with the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, the Steelpan, was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives on Monday, January 13, 2025.”
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The association went on to further note that “The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will now feature the treasured image of a gold Steelpan and its iconic pan sticks.”
According to Senator Randall Mitchell, Minister of Culture, the Arts, and Tourism, “The Bill seeks to bring into force Government’s position and intention to modify our country’s coat of arms established in 1962 by replacing the representation of Columbus’ ships with our national treasure, our very own national instrument, the Steelpan.”
Mitchell continued, “Government’s proposal was made in direct response to the loud and decade’s long clarion calls of our citizens clamoring for the removal of painful colonial vestiges of our past.”
It is possible to continue using the previous Coat of Arms until January 1, 2026, or until the Minister specifies a later date. After passing both houses, the bill will be signed into law by the president.
