Top Ten Fun & Friendly Icons of the Caribbean

1. Pineapple:women to encourage love and fertility.
The Pineapple has always been synonymous with9. Scallop Shells:
hospitality and used as a gesture of friendliness acrossThe scallop shell is used in many ways through
the Caribbean. Pineapples, locally grown and a dietaryChristianity to depict the purity of pilgrimage, or to
staple in the islands, were traditionally hung outside theencourage fertility.
houses of Carib Indians as a sign to welcome visitors.Known as the traditional emblem of the apostle "St
This practice was adopted by Colonialists who carvedJames the Great" the scallop shell was used by St
pineapples onto the entrance of their plantations toJames during his pilgrimage, to beg for as much food,
welcome visitors.or liquids as one scoop of the shell could hold. Because
As an aside, the Pineapples of Eleuthera, an islandof the size of the shell even the poorest of poor
within the Bahamas, are known to be the sweetesthouseholds could assist him along the way. Later,
and juiciest of all.followers of St James, making their way to his shrine,
2. Palm Tree:wore the scallop shell symbol on their hats and clothes.
Apart from the obvious meaning of a tropical vacation,Hence the use of the scallop shell in Christianity to
the palm tree has a historically religious meaning. Palmdepict "pilgrimage'.
branches can be seen throughout Christian art as aThere is also the fertility symbolism associated with
symbol of victory or triumph of the spiritual over thethe scallop shell derived from the ancient paintings of
worldly. The use of Palms on Palm Sunday, and theVenus, roman goddess of love and fertility which
burning of these palms for use in next years Ashalways identified her with a scallop shell. Perhaps this is
Wednesday symbolizes mortality and penance. As awhy some pilgrims walking the "way of st james"
result they have become known as a symbol of purity.wore the scallop shell as a pagan fertility ritual to
3. Hibiscus:encourage child bearing.
A symbol of beauty and fertility.10. The Sand Dollar:
4. Aloe:According to legend if you break the center of the
Synonymous with healing and good health.sand dollar, five white doves will be released to spread
5. Flamingo:good will and peace across the earth.
A symbol of the sun. Ancient Egyptians revered theBeyond this, the religious meaning of the Sand Dollar is
flamingo as a living symbol of the sun god Ra but intold in this wonderful verse:
more recent times the pink flamingo has donned theThere's a pretty little legend
lawns of many in plastic form to symbolizeThat I would like to tell
summertime.Of the birth and death of Jesus
The Flamingo is found naturally breeding on the islandFound in this lowly shell
of Mayaguana, in the southern Bahamas and BonaireIf you examine closely,
where it is the island's National symbol.You'll see that you find here
6. Iguanaconsidered sacred by the Mayan peoples andFour nail holes and a fifth one
revered in the Caribbean to this day. Endangered inMade by a Roman's Spear.
most islands, the Blue Iguana's are the recycling symbolOn one side the Easter Lily,
for the Cayman Islands.Its center is the star
7. Conch Shell:That appeared unto the shepherds
Not only is the conch shell one of the 8 auspiciousAnd led them from afar.
symbols of Buddhism signifying righteous speech andThe Christmas poinsettia
strength, and part of the Hindu tradition of prayer, butEtched on the other side
also the weapon of choice of mystical mermaids andReminds us of His birthday
mermen looking to increase the magnitude of wavesOur Happy Christmastide.
across the ocean. As such its mystical meaning alludesNow break the centre open
to strength and fortitude.And here you will release
8. Cowrie Shells:The five white doves awaiting
An inertly feminine symbol, the cowrie has traditionallyTo spread Good Will and Peace.
been used as a charm, sewn into the hems of Indian