• Facts About Jamaica National Symbols

  Filed under Jamaica, Jamaica Tips
  Sep 1
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  These facts about Jamaica will give a head start to anyone who wants to learn about the island. Many of Jamaica’s National Symbols were instituted when Jamaica became independent on August 6, 1962.

  The National Motto is “Out of Many, One people”. It is inscribed at the bottom of of the Jamaican Coat of Arms.

  The National Bird is the Doctor Bird. It is a beautiful hummingbird found only in Jamaica. It is also known as the Swallow Tail, Streamer Tail, or Scissors Tail Hummingbird.

  The National Flower is the Lignum Vitae, meaning tree of life. The flower is small, a delicate blue, although there are rare trees which bear white flowers. Small orange fruit make a colourful contrast to the pale blue flowers when the tree is just past full bloom.

  The National Tree is the Blue Mahoe. The wood from the tree is beautiful. When polished, bluish streaks are visible. The tree has a straight trunk, and will grow to over 60ft. It is part of the hibiscus family.

  The National Fruit is the Ackee. The tree came to Jamaica from West Africa. Ackee is eaten in very few countries, due to the fact that if not allowed to ripen properly on the tree, it can be poisonous. Still, it has achieved the status of being part of our unofficial national dish, ackee and saltfish.

  The National Flag is black, green and gold. The colours on the flag are interpreted “The sun shineth, the land is green, and the people are strong and creative”. Before 1997 the interpretation was “Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth”.

  The National Anthem which begins “Eternal Father, bless our land, Guard us with thy mighty hand…” replaced the British National Anthem, God Save the Queen”. The music was composed by Robert Lightbourne, and the words written by Hugh Sherlock.

  The Coat of Arms features a male and female Taino (formerly called Arawaks) standing on either side of a shield bearing a red cross and five pineapples. On top of the shield is the royal helmet and mantle, bearing a crocodile. The original Coat of Arms was designed by William Sancroft, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1661. At Jamaica’s Independence in 1962, the National Motto replaced the original inscription which had appeared below the shield.

  These facts about Jamaica are just the tip of the iceberg (which would melt in Jamaica’s warm climate!). You may want to learn about Jamaica’s government, geography, lifestyle, with some trivia as an added bonus!

  Allison Morris’ website about St. Elizabeth, Jamaica is also a storehouse of information about Jamaican culture. Visit this entertaining and information-packed site at http://www.real-jamaica-vacations.com

  
  Jamaica MAX says Make your Jamaica Vacation Tours Reservations Now!!
  
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