Blue Ensign
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Last modified: 2021-08-25 by rob raeside
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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 badge and arms, or in 1962 and has appeared only
on the actual arms.
David Prothero, 2 August 2001
If I have understood rightly, the red ensign was never
approved, but as we have seen in York (and probably there are
enough proves elsewhere) it was sometimes used
"unofficially", probably more often towards the period
when
the independence was iminent.
I don't know about square jack. This is rather misterious topic
for me, about which most sources (that I have consulted, which is
certainly far from enough) are rather silent. If I have
understood rightly the Flaggenbuch, this blue jacks would be in
theory existing for any blue ensign approved. However, I guess
that we may safely ignore this theorethic possibility and bother
with them only where there are reports of the real existing flags
of this type.
Željko Heimer, 27 Febuary 2002
3rd February 1661 - Grant of Arms. Blazon in ABC of
Heraldry by G.C.Rothery, 1915; "Argent, a cross gules,
thereon five pineapples or. Crest, a crocodile on a log,
proper. Supporters, dexter, a West Indian native woman
proper, crined or, girt about the waist with feathers alternately
gules and argent, holding a basket of fruit, the head wreathed
with a band azure rising therefrom a feather gold; sinister, a
West Indian native man proper, girt about the waist with the
feathers, holding in his hand a bow or, the head wreathed with a
band azure, rising therefrom a circlet of feathers alternately
gules and argent."
Nothing about the helm and mantling, which is of a type usually
associated with royal arms, and no reference to a motto.
1875 - Arms used as flag badge on Blue Ensign and Union
Jack. Oval shield surmounted by crocodile crest. No
supporters, or helm or motto. On a white disc surrounded by a
green garland on Union Jack for Governor when embarked on a
vessel within the area of his government. On Blue Ensign for
vessels in the service of the government, possibly on a white
disc.
1906 - Flag badge changed. Arms on a conventional
shield, supporters, crest, motto (Indus Uterque Serviet Uni) on
white scroll. No helm or mantling.
1941 - Governor's flag used ashore and afloat.
8th April 1957 - New grant of Arms by Royal Warrant due to the
doubtful blazon of the original Arms. Royal helm and
mantling allowed. Full armorial achievement. Used on Blue
Ensign, on a white disc, and on Union Jack, within a garland.
13th July 1962 - Out of Many, One People, replaced Latin
motto. Colour of scroll possibly changed at same time from
white to yellow. Less than a month before independence so
would not have featured on a flag.
6th August 1962. Both flags discontinued.
David Prothero, 27 Febuary 2002
Concering the red ensigns, one should remember that since
these were unofficial, there are to be expected numerous
variations and not very exact following of the official pattern
of the Coat of Arms. The unusual version with the spporters
holding their hands on the red bar of the cross rather then on
the top of the shield is perfect example. We would readily
exculde such flag as errorneous representation, if it wasn't for
the real flag of such design shown in York 2001.
by Željko Heimer, 11 May 2002
Blue Ensign
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Governor Flag
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
1875.gif)
Badge
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
This Jamaica badge used on Union Jack and Blue Ensign - 1875
to 1906.
David Prothero, 27 Febuary 2002
1875 versions made from the image provided by David. Garland
courtesy Jamue.
Željko Heimer, 27 Febuary 2002
The source for the badge is an 1881 H.M.Stationery Office
publication called Arms and Badges of the Several Colonies of
Great Britain. It seems to have been a supplement to the 1875
Admiralty Flag Book which was called Drawings of the Flags in Use
at the Present Time by Various Nations. The Admiralty book had
pages for colonial badges which were left blank because the
designs of the badges had not been finished in time.
David Prothero, 28 Febuary 2002
Blue Ensign
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Blue Ensign (variant ?)
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Governor Flag
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Governor Flag (variant ?)
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
1906.gif)
Badge
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
1906a.gif)
Badge (variant ?)
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Red Ensign (Unofficial)
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Red Ensign (Unofficial, variant ?)
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
The main difference on each of these badges is the ribbon
below. I have seen it illustrated both ways and don't know for
sure which one was "official" or if they were both
considered acceptable.
Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Blue Ensign
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Governor Flag
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
1957.gif)
Badge
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Red Ensign (Unofficial, Unconfirmed)
image by Clay Moss, 12 December 2008
Blue Ensign (Theoretical?)
image by Željko Heimer, 4 March 2002
Governor Flag (Theoretical?)
image by Željko Heimer, 3 March 2002
1962.gif)
Badge (Theoretical?)
image by Željko Heimer, 3 March 2002
Red Ensign (Unofficial, Theoretical?))
image by Željko Heimer, 11 May 2002
The last, chronologically, before the adoption of the current
national flag. These are rather theoretical, as David wrote this
Coat of Arms was adopted less then a month before the
independence, and it is highly doubtfull if such flags were ever
made before switching to green-black-yellow flag.
Željko Heimer, 3 March 2002
