The pearl of the Caribbean, the gorgeous island state of Jamaica has long been considered a tourist paradise. The romance of the pirate past, the spirit of freedom and the comfort of modern tourism infrastructure - this is Jamaica today. The ex-colony freed itself from British influence in 1962, and it was then that the Jamaican flag project was developed. The law on the banner was adopted on August 6, 1962, on Independence Day. On this day, the flag of Jamaica for the first time soared over the island. The banner was chosen by the people of the state in a referendum.
Symbolism of color and ornament
The flag shows a gold oblique cross dividing the flag field into two green triangles in the vertical plane, and two black ones in the horizontal. Each color has its own functional purpose and symbolism.
Black color is the people of Jamaica, its mighty power and endless creativity. Green is hope and fertile soil, as well as prospects for a happy and carefree future, thanks to agricultural achievements. The golden cross symbolizes the sun's rays, as well as the country's natural wealth, the main of which are rich bauxite deposits. By the way, about the black color there is a version that this is not only a symbol of the people of the country, but also the difficulties that he endured, which not only were, but will still be. The green color of the flag of Jamaica is taken not from the European heraldic tradition, but from the emerging practice of the countries of the liberating Africa, which in itself is quite symbolic.
National Banner Options
Jamaica is still part of the British Commonwealth, and the Queen of England is the nominal head of state. The queen (power) on the island is represented by the Governor General. Before the adoption of the flag of an independent state, the flag of the British colony had a traditional red-blue-white British flag in the upper left corner of the blue panel, and the coat of arms of Jamaica in the lower right corner: the image of two natives in loincloths, a crocodile crowning the British crown, and five pineapples . The colonialists cannot be denied an ironic approach to the creation of state symbols. All the Indians on the island were exterminated by 1558.
The coat of arms is written by William Sanderof. The natives are a man and a woman of the Arawak tribe. The motto on the coat of arms is "Out of many, one people" or "Out of many - one people." Some fans of the Rastamans translate the motto as "one crocodile in the field is not a warrior."
In connection with the status of Jamaica as a member of the British Commonwealth, there are still two more banners: the flag of the Governor-General of Jamaica - a golden British lion and a crown on a blue background and the personal flag of Jamaica for Her Majesty the Queen - English red cross on a white background, monogram queen surrounded by a wreath of Tudor roses and four golden pineapples.
Only the Tudor rose choice is interesting here, despite the fact that this dynasty has not ruled Britain for quite some time.
Curious facts
Interestingly, in 2005, after unsuccessful elections to the Bundestag, German media took this flag of Jamaica as an illustration of a possible coalition between the three German parties. Black color meant conservatives (CDU / CSU), yellow - liberals (FDP), green - a party of Greens. It should be borne in mind that the green and black colors of the flag of Jamaica are almost official colors of the rastamans, fans of Bob Marley and reggae music. You can often see the flag of Jamaica as a wallpaper on your desktop and on T-shirts - a photo that depicts the famous performer of reggae music.