The Jamaican National Flag
Consists of a diagonal cross with four triangles placed side by side. The diagonal cross is gold, the top and bottom triangles are green and the hoist and fly (side triangles) are black.
The symbolism of the colours of the flag expresses: ‘The sun shineth, the land is green and the people are strong and creative’.
The Jamaican Coat of Arms
The Jamaican national motto is ‘Out of Many One People’, based on the population’s multi-racial roots. The motto is represented on the Coat of Arms, showing a male and female member of the Taino tribe standing on either side of a shield which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples. The crest shows a Jamaican crocodile mounted on the Royal Helmet of the British Monarchy and mantling.
Lignum Vitae
Lignum Vitae (Guiacum Officinale) is the National Flower of Jamaica. It produces small blue or purple flowers and has dark green glossy leaflets measuring 5cm and grouped in two or three pairs.
Ackee (Blighia Sapida)
Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, and makes up a component of the National Dish Ackee and Codfish (salt fish). The Ackee trees grows up to 15.24m (50 ft) under favourable conditions. It bears large red and yellow pods 7.5 – 10cm (3-4 inches) which split open when ripe to reveal shiny black seeds, on top of a yellow aril which is edible; the seeds must be discarded along with the pith before preparing to eat. The pods should never be forced open as they contain a poisonous gas which is expelled when the pods open naturally.
The Doctor Bird (Trochilus Polytmus)
The Doctor Bird or Swallow Tailed Hummingbird is endemic to Jamaica (only found in Jamaica) and is one of the most outstanding of the 320 humming birds found around the world. These birds beautiful colours have no counterpart in the entire bird population and they produce iridescent characteristic of only that family.
The Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus Elatus)
Is the National tree of Jamaica. The trunk is highly favoured for furniture making as it is durable and sturdy. The tree’s leaves and shoots are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves approximately 15cm in size have a heart shape base and a dull green surface.