Jamaican Flag

The Jamaican National Flag came into use on Jamaica's independence Day, August 06, 1962. It was designed by a bipartisan committee of the Jamaica House of Representatives.

The Flag has a diagonal cross or saltire with four triangles in juxtaposition. The diagonal cross is in gold and 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.

'Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth' is the symbolism of the flag. Black stands for hardships overcome and to be faced, Gold-natural wealth and beauty of sunlight, and green-hope and agricultural resources.

Jamaican Coat of Arms

The Jamaican Coat of Arms shows a male and female member of the Taino tribe standing oneither side of a sheild which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples. On the crest is a Jamaican crocodile mounted onthe Royal Helmet of the British Monarcy and mantling.
The Jamaican national motto is 'Out of Many ..... One People' based on the populations's multi-racial roots.

Jamaica's National Bird (Trochilus Polytmus)

The 'Doctor Bird' or Swallow tail Humming Bird lives only in Jamaica and is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of Humming Birds. It is well to note that the beautiful feathers of these birds have no counterpart in the entire bird population and produce iridescent colours characteristic only of that family. The Doctor Bird has been immortalised for many decades in jamaican folklore and song.

Jamaica's National Fruit

Ackee (Blighia sapinda)

Whilst not indigenous to Jamaica this fruit has remarkable historic associations. It was originally imported form West Africa, probably brought here in a slave ship and now grows luxuriously producing, each year, large quantities for edible fruit.

The tree was unknown to science until plants were taken from Jamaica to England in 1793 by none other than Captain William Bligh of 'Mutiny on the Bounty' fame, hence the botanical name 'Bilighia sapida' in honour of the notorious Sea - Captain. Jamaica is the only place where the fruit is generally recognised as an edible crop, although the plant has been introduced into most of the other Caribbean islands - Trinidad, Grenada, Antigua, Barbados, Central America and even Florida where it is known by different names and does not thrive in economic quantities.

Jamaica's National Tree

The National Tree is the Blue mahoe (hibiscus elatus), a valuable timber for export.

Jamaica's National flower

The National Flower is that of the Lignum Vitae Tree (Guiacum Officinale), whose name, 'wood of life' is believed to reflect its medicinal properties.

Jamaica's National Anthem

National Anthem Eternal Father bless our land,
Guard us with Thy Mighty Hand
Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through countless hours.
To our Leaders Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

Teach us true respect for all,
Stir response to duty's call.
Strengthen us the weak to cherish,
Give us vision lest we perish.
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.