The Jamaican flag was revealed on august 6 1962, the date on which the island became independent. The flag has a diagonal cross with four opposite placed triangles. The symbolic meaning of the flag is that there are depravations, but that the country greenness is and that the sun shines. The endured and future depravations are symbolized by the color black, the natural abundance and beauty of the sunlight by the color yellow and the hope and agriculture wealth by the color green.
The original weapon shield that was granted to Jamaica in 1661, had been devised by the archbishop of Canterburry. Subject to a partial revision in 1957, the weapon shield has nearly remained right. On sides of the shield you see Arawak male and female with in the middle a red cross rewarded by five stand yellow pineapples. The weapon is a Jamaican crocodile which stands on the royal helmet and cape with as motto: from many one people.
The akee is an edible fruit, which was brought within the 18th century from West-Afrika to Jamaica
The doctor hummingbird only lives on Jamaica and is one of most remarkable hummingbirds. The feathers of this bird are beautiful, a characteristic which is typical for this bird family.
The mahou is one of the less important useful woods at Jamaica. The attractive blue-green wood with its irregular yellow shades is popular at makers of small pieces of furniture. The wood can be finished in brilliance, as a result of which the capricious grain and shades reach well their right.
Lignum vitae, a name which has been chosen supposedly because of the medicinal properties of this plant, which is domestic in Jamaica.
