Jamaican Flag: After the dissolution of the West Indies Federation, a group formed in 1958 of British-ruled islands, Jamaica moved quickly to establish a national flag in anticipation of its independence day, August 6, 1962.
The legislative committee responsible agreed that the flag should have the colors black, yellow, and green.
These stood for the difficulties faced by the nation (black), its natural wealth and the beauty of its sunlight (yellow), and agriculture and hope (green).
This was summed up in the phrase “Hardships there are, but the land is green and the sun shineth.”
The proposed flag had unequal horizontal stripes of green, yellow, black, yellow, and green.
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When it was discovered that this was similar to the new national flag of Tanganyika (now in Tanzania).
The present design, incorporating a diagonal division of the black and green surmounted by a yellow saltire, was selected.
This saltire was distinctive, but it did not have any official symbolic meaning.
The coat of arms established for Jamaica in 1661 appeared in the flag badge used on the British Blue Ensign when Jamaica was a colony.
Although it doesn’t use on the national flag, this coat of arms is still in effect, with minor modifications.
The original motto, “Both Indies shall serve the same purpose,” replaced by one more modern and appropriate, “Out of many, one people.”
The coat of arms shows a red cross on a white shield, the traditional emblem of St. George of England, with five golden pineapples to represent the tropical produce of Jamaica
In sum, the Jamaican flag was unfurled and hoisted for the first time at the dramatic hour of midnight on August 5, 1962.
As the British flag was being lowered, signaling the dawn of Jamaica’s political independence from Britain, present-day United Kingdom, after over 300 years under British rule.
Design
Following a national flag design competition (in 1961). Which failed to yield a winning model, a bipartisan committee of the Jamaica House of Representatives in early 1962. Designed the Jamaican Flag in time for Independence Day Celebrations on August 6, 1962.
The emblem has a diagonal cross or saltire with four triangles in juxtaposition.
The cross is in GOLD and the width of each of its bends (arms) is one-sixth of the length of the fly of the flag.
The top and bottom triangles are in GREEN, and the hoist and fly triangles are in BLACK. It follows the ‘Admiralty Pattern’ and the width-to-length ratio of the flag is 1:2.
Symbolism
The flag of Jamaica compared to other flags around the world in that it is the only one that does not contain one of the following colors: red, white, or blue.
Over time, the meaning behind the colors of Jamaica’s flag has changed. After independence in 1962.
Government officials claimed the black color stood for the difficulties faced by the country.
The green represented the island itself, and the gold color symbolized the bright sun that shines over the land.
Today, however, the colors have taken on slightly different meanings. Beginning in 1996.
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The black color represents the people of the land, particularly their strength and resilience against hardships.
The green color represents the abundance of flora found throughout the island, and the gold color symbolizes the riches found within Jamaica.
Code for The Use of Flag
- This regarded as the sacred emblem of the nation. To pay due reverence and devotion by all its citizens.
- The Flag should never allow to touch the ground or floor.
- The Flag should not be or use for purely decorative purposes on anything. That is for temporary use and likely to discard, except on state occasions.
- Official sanction should obtain from the Office of the Prime Minister prior. To use the image or representation of the National Flag.
- It should never have placed on it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
- The Flag should never be smaller than any other flag flown at the same time.
- When the flag becomes worn, dilapidated, is torn, or no longer suitable for display. It should destroy in a dignified manner, preferably by burning privately.
- No other flag should place above or to the right of the Jamaican Flag. Except at Foreign Embassies, Consulates, and Missions.
- Except at Foreign Embassies, Consulates, and Missions, no foreign flags may be flown publicly. Unless the Flag of Jamaica is.
- The Flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be on the marching right. If there is a line of flags, in front of the center of that line.
- It should not drop over vehicles of any sort, except on Military, Police, and State occasions.
- The Flag should not use as an embellishment on any object nor should it use as decorative patches. Or adornments on clothing, headgear, etcetera.
- Flag of Jamaican should be in or near every Polling Station on Election Day.
Color meaning
Two black triangles: overcome hardships, both in the past and future of Jamaica.
Two green triangles: hope and agricultural fertility
Yellow cross: also called a saltire, this represents minerals in the ground and sunlight in the sky of Jamaica
Jamaica Flag color Codes
Private Use
The Flag may be on private buildings on all National and State occasions. And should always be on any private building on the occasion of official visits by the Governor-General, and the Prime Minister.
It should be flown at the official residence of the Prime Minister when he is in residence.
The Flag should be on the Governor-General’s and Prime Minister’s cars
Pictures of Jamaican flag
Emoji
Copy and paste this emoji:
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Download images of Jamaican flag
download images of Jamaican flag in four formats(PNG, JPG, SVG, Icon)
Conclusion
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Jamaican Flag has provided a useful educational resource.
