Jamaica Flag

Description

The Jamaica flag is available from Flags Online in full-size and desk formats, printed on both sides and made to last outdoors.

About the Jamaica Flag

A gold diagonal cross divides the Jamaica flag into four triangles, two black and two green, creating one of the more geometrically distinctive designs among Caribbean flags. It was adopted at the moment of independence and has remained unchanged since, making it one of the region’s more stable national symbols.

Colours and Symbolism

At independence in 1962 the colours were explained through the phrase “hardships there are, but the land is green and the sun shineth”, with black for the difficulties the nation had faced, green for the island’s fertile land, and gold for sunshine and natural wealth. A national symbols committee, chaired by Rex Nettleford and appointed by the then prime minister, revisited the meaning in 1996, reframing black as the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people in overcoming adversity, gold as the country’s wealth and sunshine, and green as its vegetation and hope for the future. Both interpretations have coexisted since, and the Jamaica flag is often explained using either version depending on the source.

History of the Jamaica Flag

The flag was adopted on 6 August 1962, the day Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom, replacing the colonial ensign that had flown over the island. Unlike many newly independent nations of the era, Jamaica did not go through a series of design changes afterward – the diagonal cross chosen in 1962 has remained the Jamaica flag without alteration for well over sixty years. The flag is not related to the red, gold and green colours associated with Rastafari and pan-African symbolism, despite the occasional public mix-up between the two, since Jamaica deliberately avoided red when the design was chosen in the run-up to independence.

Flying and Displaying the Flag

Jamaica marks Independence Day on 6 August with flag-raising ceremonies, parades and public events across the island, and the flag is a common sight at national celebrations, sporting events and government buildings throughout the year. When flown at half-mast for periods of mourning, the flag should first be raised briefly to the top of the pole before being lowered, in line with standard flag protocol.

Jamaica Flag Sizes and Pricing

• 180 x 120cm — R860
• 22 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R800
• 10 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R650
• 90 x 60cm — R400

Material and Construction

Made from 100% polyester bunting material and digitally printed on both sides. Hemmed all around with two rows of stitching and finished with a polyester webbing heading. Rope and toggle for hoisting included.

Supplied in packs of 10. Printed on both sides onto polyester and supplied with a black plastic stick and removable base — take the base off and it doubles as a hand waving flag.

Ordering and Delivery

Every Jamaica flag is printed to order and dispatched from our Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Johannesburg branches, with courier delivery nationwide. Bulk and school orders are welcome — contact us for volume pricing on quantities of 10 or more.

Order Lead Times

Almost everything we make is freshly printed and made to order, just for you! So please allow 3–5 working days for us to prepare your order before it heads out the door. We’ll always try to get it to you sooner where we can. Some fast movers, like South African flags, ship quicker as they’re often in stock.

One quick thing to keep in mind: the “next working day” you see on your order confirmation is the courier’s delivery time from the day we dispatch — not from the day you place your order. So it’s really 3–5 days to prepare + next-day delivery.

Good things are worth the wait — we’re excited to get your order into your hands.

Additional information