National Symbols of Australia
Australia 1 (flags, coat of arms) 1. The Symbolism of Australian flag
One of the designers was Ivor Evans, a fourteen year old schoolboy. Ivor had very clear ideas about what his flag meant and what he intended it to say about Australia and Australians. He believed that the Southern Cross, the brightest constellation (созвездие) in the Southern Hemisphere, was representative of Australia 's bright future as a leading nation. However there was another reason for his choice of the Southern Cross. The poet, Dante, wrote about four bright stars which symbolised the four moral virtues of justice, prudence (благоразумие, рассудительность), temperance (сдержанность, умеренность) and fortitude (сила духа, стойкость) - principles that Australians should live up to.
The Commonwealth Star was another significant symbol. Its six points represented the six newly federated states. In 1908 a seventh point was added to represent all the Federal Territories which, today, include the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, The Cocos Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory.
Ivor believed that the flag of the United Kingdom, of Great Britain, had a place on Australia 's flag because of the historical links between Australia and the British isles. Australia had been colonised by the British in 1788, and one of the first things they did on Australian soil was raise the Union Jack. The flag has been part of Australia 's history ever since. Ivor believed that its "honourable place" on the Australian flag recognised this fact - a new nation paying respect to its origins.
"We 've the stars to show where we 're going and the old flag to show where we 've been." (From a poem by Robin Northover)
2. The symbolism of Aboriginal flag
The flag was designed to be an eye-catching rallying symbol for the Aboriginal people and a symbol of their race and identity. The black represents the Aboriginal people (alternative explanation - the night sky), the red the earth
One of the designers was Ivor Evans, a fourteen year old schoolboy. Ivor had very clear ideas about what his flag meant and what he intended it to say about Australia and Australians. He believed that the Southern Cross, the brightest constellation (созвездие) in the Southern Hemisphere, was representative of Australia 's bright future as a leading nation. However there was another reason for his choice of the Southern Cross. The poet, Dante, wrote about four bright stars which symbolised the four moral virtues of justice, prudence (благоразумие, рассудительность), temperance (сдержанность, умеренность) and fortitude (сила духа, стойкость) - principles that Australians should live up to.
The Commonwealth Star was another significant symbol. Its six points represented the six newly federated states. In 1908 a seventh point was added to represent all the Federal Territories which, today, include the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, The Cocos Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory.
Ivor believed that the flag of the United Kingdom, of Great Britain, had a place on Australia 's flag because of the historical links between Australia and the British isles. Australia had been colonised by the British in 1788, and one of the first things they did on Australian soil was raise the Union Jack. The flag has been part of Australia 's history ever since. Ivor believed that its "honourable place" on the Australian flag recognised this fact - a new nation paying respect to its origins.
"We 've the stars to show where we 're going and the old flag to show where we 've been." (From a poem by Robin Northover)
2. The symbolism of Aboriginal flag
The flag was designed to be an eye-catching rallying symbol for the Aboriginal people and a symbol of their race and identity. The black represents the Aboriginal people (alternative explanation - the night sky), the red the earth