The narrow stripes bordering the black diagonal band on Trinidad and Tobago’s flag are white.
The design is a red field crossed diagonally by a black band running from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side. White edging, known in heraldry as fimbriation, separates the black stripe from the red background and makes the central band stand out clearly.
The flag was adopted on 31 August 1962, when Trinidad and Tobago became independent from the United Kingdom. Artist Carlisle Chang designed it, and the three colors carry symbolic meanings: red represents fire and courage, black represents earth and dedication, and white represents water, purity, and equality.
A common mix-up is to remember the black stripe but overlook the white borders. The flag’s palette contains no blue, green, or gold. Its unusual diagonal layout also distinguishes it from many Caribbean flags, which more often use horizontal or vertical bands.