Flag of Jamaica
countryThe flag of Jamaica was adopted on August 6, 1962. Gold saltire with green and black triangles. It uses 3 colours: gold, green and black. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Country | Jamaica |
| Official Country Name | Jamaica |
| Capital | Kingston |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | Caribbean |
| ISO Country Code | JM / JAM |
| Internet Domain | .jm |
| Calling Code | +1876 |
| Currency | Jamaican dollar (JMD) |
| National Language(s) | English, Jamaican Patois |
| Demonym | Jamaican |
| Area | 10,991 km² |
| Population | 2.8 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 6, 1962 |
| First Used | 1962 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 6, 1962 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Gold, Green, Black |
| Design Type | Gold saltire with green and black triangles |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Jamaica |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | #FED100 | 254, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 | |
| Green | #009B3A | 0, 155, 58 | 100, 0, 63, 39 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Gold colour | Represents the natural wealth and the sunlight |
|---|---|
| Green colour | Represents hope and agricultural resources |
| Black colour | Represents the strength and creativity of the people |
| Saltire | The only national flag in the world containing neither red, white nor blue |
| Colours | Summed up as “hardships there are, but the land is green and the sun shineth” |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1962 | The design was first used |
| 1962-08-06 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Jamaica Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Jamaica
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 64 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 6, 1962 |
| Oldest Version | 1962 |
| Most Common Color | Gold |
| Unique Feature | Gold saltire with green and black triangles |
Other saltire (diagonal cross) flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Jamaica
- Jamaica's is the only national flag on earth that contains neither red, white nor blue.
- The original proposal was a horizontal tricolour, changed to a saltire when it was noticed that the design was nearly identical to the flag of Tanganyika.
- The colours were long summarised in a phrase taught in Jamaican schools: hardships there are, but the land is green and the sun shineth.
- The flag of Jamaica was officially adopted on August 6, 1962.
- The flag in its present form is 64 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Gold saltire with green and black triangles.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: gold, green and black.
- The gold on the flag stands for the natural wealth and the sunlight.
- The green on the flag stands for hope and agricultural resources.
- The black on the flag stands for the strength and creativity of the people.
- Saltire: The only national flag in the world containing neither red, white nor blue.
- Colours: Summed up as “hardships there are, but the land is green and the sun shineth”.
- The design belongs to the "Saltire (diagonal cross)" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Jamaica became independent on 6 August 1962 from the United Kingdom.
- Cricket is traditionally called the national sport, though athletics has brought Jamaica far more Olympic success.
- The national animal is the doctor bird, the red-billed streamertail.
- The national anthem is "Jamaica, Land We Love".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Jamaica
When was the flag of Jamaica adopted?
The flag of Jamaica was officially adopted on August 6, 1962.
What do the colours of the flag of Jamaica mean?
Gold for the natural wealth and the sunlight, green for hope and agricultural resources and black for the strength and creativity of the people.
When did Jamaica gain independence?
Jamaica became independent on 6 August 1962 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Jamaica?
Cricket is traditionally called the national sport, though athletics has brought Jamaica far more Olympic success.
What do the symbols on the flag of Jamaica represent?
Saltire — The only national flag in the world containing neither red, white nor blue. Colours — Summed up as “hardships there are, but the land is green and the sun shineth”.
What are the proportions of the flag of Jamaica?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Jamaica?
The national anthem is "Jamaica, Land We Love".
When is the national day of Jamaica?
It falls on 6 August, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Jamaica?
The national animal is the doctor bird, the red-billed streamertail.
What is the capital of Jamaica?
The capital is Kingston. The currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD) and the language spoken is English, Jamaican Patois.