Coat of arms of the British Windward Islands

Badge of the Governor-in-chief of the British Windward Islands (1953-1960)

Coat of arms of the British Windward Islands was the official symbol representing the British Windward Islands, a group of islands in the Caribbean that were a part of the British Empire. The coat of arms was granted in 1909 and used until 1958, when the federation of the islands was dissolved. The British Windward Islands consisted of Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica (although Dominica was transferred to the Leeward Islands in 1940).

Description

The coat of arms featured a shield divided into four quarters, each representing one of the islands of the federation. The symbols on the shield were indicative of the islands' culture, economy, and environment. Above the shield, there was a helmet with a mantling and on top of the helmet, a crest. The supporters on either side of the shield were typically representations of local flora and fauna, reflecting the biodiversity of the islands. The motto of the British Windward Islands was displayed on a scroll beneath the shield, embodying the spirit and aspirations of the islands and their people.

Symbolism

Each quarter of the shield and the elements of the coat of arms carried deep symbolism related to the history, geography, and economic practices of the islands. For example, symbols such as sugar canes or bananas might have been used to represent the agricultural backbone of the islands' economies. The crest, supporters, and other elements of the coat of arms would have been carefully chosen to reflect the identity and heritage of the British Windward Islands as a whole.

Historical Context

The British Windward Islands were an important part of the British colonial empire in the Caribbean, serving as strategic points and contributing to the economy through agriculture, especially the cultivation of sugar cane. The creation of a coat of arms was a common practice for British colonies, symbolizing their connection to the British Crown while also acknowledging their unique characteristics.

Legacy

Although the federation was dissolved in 1958, and each island eventually moved towards its own path of independence or autonomy, the coat of arms of the British Windward Islands remains a part of their shared history. It is a symbol of the era of British colonial rule and the unity among these islands during that period. Today, each island has its own coat of arms, reflecting its individual identity and journey since the dissolution of the British Windward Islands federation.

See Also

• Coat of arms of Grenada
• Coat of arms of Saint Lucia
• Coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Coat of arms of Dominica
• British Empire
• Caribbean