Jamaica Flag

The Jamaica Flag.

The Jamaica Flag is a three colored, cross shaped flag whose length is twice it's height. It consists of a yellow cross [actually "Gold"] dividing the flag into four triangles: green [actually "Emerald Green"] top and bottom and black left side and right side. [...the side of the flag that hangs on the pole is called the "hoist" side.]

The colors represent certain Jamaican symbolisms of nature and historic significance, as follows:

Yellow stands as a symbol for the beauty of the tropical sunshine and the natural resources [wealth] of the island.

Green stands as a symbol for the land [agriculture] and as hope for the future.

Black stands as a symbol of the burdens borne and hardships to be faced by the Jamaican people.

[..it has also been described as "Black for the people, Yellow for the Sun and Green to represent the lush vegetation of the Island".]

The Flag of Jamaica

The Green, Black and Yellow of the Jamaican Flag

The Jamaica Flag had a stormy birth. There were several original proposals including a clergyman who sketched the cross, which some say was the cross of St. Andrews, and then added the colors, and another was one of horizontal stripes which was approved by the British Authorities of the time, even though it was similar to the flag of Tanganyika.[...an Afican nation now no longer with it's original name!] The original flag proposal was also to include some reference to the Union Jack [blue I think!] but this was never adopted and caused some parliamentary concern.

The Jamaican colors are also the colors of the African National Congress which was adopted in 1925 but the Jamaican colors were in existence long before this! The Jamaican colonial flag was a form of the Union Jack [...the British Flag!]and there was a public contest to design a flag during 1962.

The Jamaican Flag that we see today, was officially in use by August 1962.

The Jamaican Coat of Arms

The Jamaican Coat of Arms was granted to jamaica in February 1663 and is amongthe oldest granted to a British colony. There was no original artwork for this but after modification in 1957, the Motto changed.[...the original was in Latin I think!] There were also small color and artwork changes at this time.

Either side of the shield are Arawak Indians. The four pineapples on the red cross of the shield are also on the Queen Elizabeth the seconds banner. [...when in Jamaica.]
This design is also on the flag of the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

The motto, "Out of many, one people" resembles the United States motto "Out of Many, One" but has no connection, and was a common unity theme of Jamaicans during independence.

Other Jamaican National Emblems

The Jamaican National Bird: The Doctor Bird [Green and black Streamertail]

The Jamaican National Flower: Lignum Vitae

The Jamaican National Tree: Blue Mahoe [Hibiscus]

The Jamaican National Dish: Ackee and Saltfish [Cod]

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