The country's new design for the Coat of Arms, which features a steelpan, replacing illustrations representing Christopher Columbus' three ships, the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa María, has been released to the public.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government Communications division said via a social media update that the new Coat of Arms will feature an image of a gold steelpan, the country's national instrument, and two pan sticks.
"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.
"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.
During the piloting of the Bill, Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, gave some insight into the Bill saying that, “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.”
Minister Mitchell continued by sharing that, “Government’s proposal was made in direct response to the loud and decade’s long clarion calls of our citizens clamouring for the removal of painful colonial vestiges of our past.”
The former Coat of Arms of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago may be used until January 1, 2026, or such later date as the Minister may prescribe by Order.
The Bill will now proceed to be read and debated in the Upper House (Senate). Once passed in the Upper House, it will then proceed to be proclaimed by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago after which it will become Law.
