Last modified: 2005-06-03 by dov gutterman
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Jamaica did not have an official defaced Red Ensign.
That is not to say that there were no unofficial Red Ensigns, but
there can be no precise date for them. Furthermore, the badge is
similar to those that appeared on the Blue Ensign and the
governor’s Union Flag between 1957 and 1962, but has had the
helm and mantling removed and the colours simplified. One
particular error is the absence of the outline of the shield
between the supporters.
Jamaica’s first badge, 1875, was an oval shield bearing St
George’s cross with five gold pineapples, one in the centre
of the cross and one in the middle of each arm. A very
small helm above the shield was surmounted by a (probably green)
crocodile on a red and white torse.
In 1906 this was replaced by a badge similar to the badge in the
image except that; it had a shield (conventional shape), the
scroll was in two separate curves with less elaborate flourishes,
the crocodile was green with a stubby tail, the supporters had
blue clothing around their hips.
From 1957 until independence in 1962 the badge was the present
coat of arms. This differed from the previous badge in that, a
helm and mantle were inserted between the top of the shield and
the torse of the crocodile crest, the colour of the clothing of
the supporters was changed from blue, to green and brown, the
crocodile became a little more elegant with a longer curving
tail.
At some point the motto on the scroll was changed from
"indus uterque serviet uni" to "out of many, one
people", but I do not know whether this happened in 1957 and
appeared on the bad