Jamaican National Symbols

National Bird
The "Doctor Bird" (Trochilus polytmus) lives only in Jamaica and is one of the most outstanding of all the species of Humming Birds. The feathers of the Doctor Bird are beautifully iridescent, a characteristic peculiar to this family

National Flower
Lignum VitaeLignum Vitae (Guiacum officinale) is indigenous to Jamaica and was found here by Christopher Columbus. It is thought that the name "Wood of Life" was then adopted because of its medicinal qualities. The tree grows best in the dry woodlands along both the North and South coasts of the island. In addition to shedding an attractive blue flower, the plant itself is extremely ornamental. The wood is widely used in the manufacture of propeller shaft bearings for ships, as well as in the creation of curios, sought after by visitors and nationals alike.

National Tree
Blue Mahoe Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus). This has been regarded as one of the primary economic timbers. It is currently much used for re-afforestation and is a valuable source of cabinet timber. Of an attractive blue-green colour with variegated yellowish intrusions, it is capable of showing to advantage the variety of grain and color tones.

Coat of Arms
The original Coat of Arms granted to Jamaica in 1661, was designed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, William Sanderoft. Apart from a partial revision in 1957, it remains virtually the same as was originally designed. The Arms show a male and female Arawak, standing on either side of the shield which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples superimposed on it. The Crest is a Jamaican crocodile surmounting the Royal Helmet and Mantlings. The original Latin motto, "Indus Uterque Serviet Uni", has been changed to one in English: "Out of Many One People."

National Flag
The Jamaica National Flag came into use on August 6,1962, Jamaica's Independence Day and was designed by a bipartisan committee of the Jamaica House of representatives. The Flag has a diagonal cross or saltire with four triangles in juxtaposition. The diagonal cross is gold and one-sixth of the length of the fly of the flag; the top and bottom triangles are green; and the hoist and fly triangles are black. The exact shade of green used in the flag is Emerald T8 17, British Admiralty Bunting Pattern. The flag follows the "Admiralty Pattern" and the proportion is 2 x 1. "Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth" is the symbolism of the flag. Black stands for hardships overcome and to be faced; gold, for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; and green, for hope and agricultural resources.

National Fruit
Ackee (Blighia sapida), the Jamaican National Fruit, is not indigenous to Jamaica. This fruit has remarkable historic associations. It was originally imported from West Africa, probably brought here in a slave ship, and now grows luxuriously producing large quantities of edible fruit each year. The tree was unknown until plants were taken from Jamaica to England in 1773 by Captain William Bligh of "Mutiny on the Bounty" fame, hence the botanical name "Blighia sapida" in honour of the notorious sea captain. One of the earliest local propagators of the tree was Dr. Thomas Clarke who introduced it to the eastern parishes in 1778. Jamaica is the only place where the fruit is recognized as an edible crop, although the plant has been introduced into most of the other Caribbean islands.

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Phyllis Brown, Editor
College of Sciences Newsletter
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