Page 226 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Australasia and Oceania

Australia

Ratio: 2:1 Adopted: May 29, 1909 Usage: National and Civil

The Union
Jack is retained
in the canton
The stars of
the Southern
Cross

The points of the “Commonwealth Star”
represent the members of the Federation

Australasia and Oceania
0APUA The great southern continent of Australia was
.EW
'UINEA
!5342!,)!
!5342!,)! unified in 1901, as a commonwealth of six formerly
!5342!,)!
!5342!,)!
.EW
:EALAND separate British subject states.
The first national flag was adopted THE UNION JACK
in 1901 following various design First flown on Australian soil by
competitions, but its use was Captain Cook, it was the national
restricted. It includes a blue ensign flag from 1788 and remained the
and three motifs, celebrating key official citizens’ land flag until 1954.
aspects of Australian statehood. It occupies the canton, denoting
Australia’s historical links with
THE SOUTHERN CROSS Great Britain.
This constellation is visible
T
T
throughout the year in southern THE “COMMONWEALTH STAR”
night skies and has been used as a This large star affirms the federal
navigational aid for centuries. It nature of government in Australia.
helped guide early European ships Originally there were six points for
to the continent and became a the six federal states. The seventh
popular emblem for the new point was added in 1909, to
settlers. The five stars of the cross represent the Northern Territory
appear on the fly, with seven points together with the six other external
for the brightest stars and five for territories administered by the
the lesser Epsilon Crucis. Australian Federal Government.

222