Official Palette
Symbolism
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
gold: Natural wealth and the beauty of sunlight
green: Hope and agricultural resources
Country Facts
- Population
- 2.8M
0.5% of North America
- Capital
- Kingston
- Languages
- English, Jamaican Patois
- Continent
- North America
- Subregion
- Caribbean
- Landlocked
- Island state
- ISO 3166-1
- JM
Flag Identification
- Adopted
- August 6, 1962
- Proportions
1:2
- Total Colors
- 3
Influences
Tanganyikan flag (original concept)
Scottish Saltire
Related flags
Flag Protocol
- The saltire must be gold and clearly defined
- No other flag should be flown to the right of the national flag
Practice
Think you know the flags of Caribbean? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.