The Jamaican National Bird
The "Doctor Bird" (Trochilus polytmus) lives only
in Jamaica and is one of the most outstanding of all the species
of Humming Birds. The feathers of the Doctor Bird are beautifully
iridescent, a characteristic peculiar to this family
National Flower - Lignum Vitae
Lignum Vitae (Guiacum officinale) is indigenous to Jamaica and was
found here by Christopher Columbus. It is thought that the name
"Wood of Life" was then adopted because of its medicinal
qualities.
The tree grows best in the dry woodlands along both the North and
South coasts of the island. In addition to shedding an attractive
blue flower, the plant itself is extremely ornamental. The wood
is widely used in the manufacture of propeller shaft bearings for
ships, as well as in the creation of curios, sought after by visitors
and nationals alike.
National Tree - Blue Mahoe
Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus). This has been regarded as one of the primary
economic timbers. It is currently much used for re-afforestation
and is a valuable source of cabinet timber. Of an attractive blue-green
colour with variegated yellowish intrusions, it is capable of showing
to advantage the variety of grain and colour tones. The trade, local
and foreign, consumes annually many thousands of feet of this beautiful
timber.
The Jamaican Coat of Arms
The original Coat of Arms granted to Jamaica in 1661, was designed
by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, William Sanderoft. Apart from
a partial revision in 1957, it remaines virtually the same as was
originally designed. The Arms shows a male and female Arawak, standing
on either side of the shield which bears a red cross with five golden
pineapples superimposed on it. The Crest is a Jamaican crocodile
surmounting the Royal Helmet and Mantlings. The original Latin motto,
"Indus Uterque Serviet Uni", has been changed to one in
English: "Out of
The Jamaica National Flag
The Jamaica National Flag came into use on August 6,1962, jamaica’s
Independence Day. 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. The exact
shade of green used in the flag is Emerald T8 17, British Admiralty
Bunting Pattern. The Flag follows the "Admiralty Pattern"
and the proportion is 2 x 1.
New Symbolism as of 1996 - "Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth
is the symbolism of the Flag. Black symbolizes the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people ; Gold, for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight;
and Green stands for hope and agricultural resources".
Original Symbolism - "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, for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight;
and Green stands for hope and agricultural resources".
Ackee the Jamaican National Fruit
Ackee the Jamaican National Fruit . Ackee (Blighia sapida). Whilst
not indigenous to Jamaica, this fruit has remarkable historic associations.
It was originally imported from West Africa, probably brought here
in a slave ship, and now grows luxuriously producing each year large
quantities of edible fruit.
The tree was unknown to science until plants were taken from Jamaica
to England in 1973 by none other than Captain William Bligh of "Mutiny
on the Bounty" fame, hence the botanical name "Blighia
spadia" in honour of the notorious sea captain. One of the
earliest local propagators of the tree was Dr. Thomas Clarke who
introduced it to the eastern parishes in 1778.
Jamaica is the only place where the fruit is generally recognized
as an edible crop, although the plant has been introduced into most
of the other Caribbean islands.
Miss Lou in The National Costume
Click for Larger image
The Jamaican National Costume
A full-flaired skirt made of Madras bandana (predominantly red
plaid cotton) material worn usually with a white blouse edged with
matching bandana. Headwear varies from bandana wrapped in a special
design to straw hat decorated with flowers. Above is Jamaica's folk
ambassador Miss Lou Miss Lou in The National Costume on the cover
of her book Jamaica Labrish. Buy
it in our online store.
Information Source includes: Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
