Black represents the strength and creativity of the people; gold represents the natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; green represents hope and agricultural resources. 'Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth' is the local motto.
History
Adopted on August 6, 1962, the day of independence. The original design had horizontal stripes but was changed to a saltire to avoid resembling the Tanganyikan flag.
Construction
A 1:2 ratio. A gold saltire (diagonal cross) divides the flag into four triangles: green at the top and bottom, and black at the hoist and fly.
Color Meanings
black: Strength and creativity of the Jamaican people
