Flag of Jamaica

The flag of Jamaica was adopted on 6 August 1962 (Jamaican Independence Day), the country having gained independence from the British-protected Federation of the West Indies. The flag consists of a gold saltire, which divides the flag into four sections: two of them green (top and bottom) and two black (hoist and fly).[2][3] It is currently the only national flag that does not contain a shade of the colours red, white, or blue.[4]

Jamaica
Other namesThe Cross, Black, green and gold
UseNational flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag[1] Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is congruent with obverse side
Proportion1:2
Adopted6 August 1962
DesignA gold diagonal cross divides the field into four triangles of green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and fly side)
UseCivil ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
DesignA Red Ensign with the national flag in the canton
UseNaval ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
DesignA White Ensign with the national flag in the canton
UseAir force ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
DesignThe Jamaican flag in the canton with a logo of the JDF Air Wing in the middle.
The first proposed design for the Jamaican flag
Another proposal for the Jamaican flag
Jamaican flag waving above a house roof.

Design and symbolism

Prior to Jamaica's independence, the Jamaican government ran a flag design competition for Jamaica's new flag. Over 360 designs were submitted, and several of these original submissions are housed in the National Library of Jamaica.[5] However, the competition failed to yield a winner, and a bipartisan committee of the Jamaican House of Representatives eventually came up with the modern design.[6] It was originally designed with horizontal stripes, but this was considered too similar to the flag of Tanganyika (as it was in 1962), and so the saltire was substituted.[7]

An earlier interpretation of the colours was, "hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth" as stated in the government Ministry Paper 28 - National Flag dated 22 May 1962.[8] Gold recalls the shining sun, black reflects hardships, and green represents the land. It was changed in 1996 to black representing the strength and creativity of the people which has allowed them to overcome difficulties, gold for the wealth of the country and the golden sunshine, and green for the lush vegetation of the island, as well as hope.[9] The change was made on the recommendation of the committee to Examine National Symbols and National Observances appointed by the then Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and chaired by Rex Nettleford. The flag is blazoned: Per saltire vert and sable, a saltire Or.

Construction details, sizes and colors

The flag has a length-to-width ratio of 1:2, which means that the length is twice as long as the breadth. The normal proportions are 1.5 meters by 3 meters (5 feet by 10 feet).

  • flag construction sheet
    flag construction sheet

Etiquette

Standard etiquette applies in Jamaica to use of the national flag, primarily ensuring it is always the primary flag flown and is in good condition. The National Flag Code (a set of rules that owners of a flag should follow) was instituted by the government.

Jamaica's state ensign is a Blue Ensign with the Jamaican national flag in the canton; it is normally only used by the Jamaican Government. Jamaica's naval ensign follows the British system and is a White Ensign with a Saint George's Cross and the Jamaican national flag in the canton, although due to the island's lack of a navy, it is normally only used by the Jamaican Coast Guard.

Historical flags
  • 1875–1906
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1875–1906
  • 1906–1957
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1906–1957
  • 1957–1962
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1957–1962
  • 1962
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1962

See also

References
  1. Whitney., Smith (1980). Flags and arms across the world. Smith, Whitney. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 111. ISBN 9780070590946. OCLC 4957064.
  2. Jamaican Flag on JIS site
  3. "CIA World Factbook - Jamaica". Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  4. "Flags, Symbols, & Currency Of Jamaica". 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  5. "The Story of the Jamaican National Flag". The National Library of Jamaica. 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  6. "Jamaican Flag – Jamaica Information Service". jis.gov.jm. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  7. "Flag of Jamaica". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  8. "National Library of Jamaica" (PDF). Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  9. "CIA World Factbook - Jamaica". Retrieved 29 July 2019.
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