The National Colours of the Turks and Caicos

YELLOW - represents God's glory as the sun shining down on all of our beautiful islands and cays.

RED - represents the nation's capital, Grand Turk.

The colour red is taken from the red/pink fruit found on the Turks Head Cactus. Many were once found on Grand Turk before they were removed to make the salt ponds.

- represents Salt Cay. WHITE

The colour white came from salt The colour white came from salt. The salt industry was largely responsible for populating the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos.

ORANGE - represents South Caicos and East Caicos.

The colour orange comes from the spiny lobster and reflects the fishing industry in the "Big South".

TAN - represents Middle Caicos.

The colour tan is taken from the raw material (thatch) that once covered the roofs of the houses. It is also used to make straw hats, baskets, and brooms. Middle Caicos is known for the fine quality of native craftwork. Nets were needed for catching fish and turtles. Baskets and bags were required to collect and transport the catch and the crops. Hats were used to provide shade during the long hours in the hot sun. Mosquito brushes were useful in keeping the bugs away in the fields. Broom and brushes made from silver palmtop leaves were used to keep the house and yard clean.

GREEN - represents North Caicos and Parrot Cay.

The colour is taken from the fruit trees and other types of trees that flourish in this, the most fertile of all the islands. North Caicos is also home to Wades Green Plantation, the most successful of the Caicos Islands plantations. Silver palms Corn The National Flower Island Heather

The Caribbean/Caicos Pine The National Tree The Caribbean/Caicos Pine The Caribbean/Caicos Pine is found widely throughout Middle and North Caicos and Pine Cay. It can be used to make mosquito repellents, as material for construction of buildings, in decorations and was also widely used in the past to produce 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 Kirtland’s Wharbler.

TURQUOISE - represents the islands of Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos.

The colour turquoise comes from the beautiful turquoise waters that surround these islands on which our famous Caicos fishing sloops sailed. These turquoise waters also contribute to the tourism industry.

PINK - represents the numerous uninhabited cays that make up our chain of islands.

The colour pink comes from the beautiful conch shells and flamingoes.