Australian flag
The flag of Australia is blue with the flag of the United Kingdom (the Union Flag) in the canton (the upper hoist-side quadrant), and a large seven-pointed star (representing the six original states and the territories of Australia) in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars. It is based on the British blue ensign.
History
The flag was proclaimed by the monarch in 1904 after a design competition (for which the rules implied that a British ensign flag was required). This flag was mainly intended for naval use. Throughout the first fifty years of the Australian colony, the Union Flag was widely used, as was the "Red Ensign" (the same design with a red background) - as the unofficial national flag. On 14th April 1954 the "Blue Ensign" flag became the official Australian flag, and it was not until well into the 1960's that the national flag usurped the Union Flag completely in public consciousness. The blue ensign design was adopted over the red ensign design due to the fact that red was the symbol of communism and the rise of anti-communist feelings in Australia at the time.
Status
Some Australians dislike the presence of the Union Flag on the current flag, and its very close similarity to the flag of New Zealand has also posed practical problems on occasion. However, the flag retains majority support for the moment and debate on the matter is unlikely to resume seriously until after the issue of republicanism in Australia is resolved definitively one way or the other.
The Red Ensign is used by Australian merchant ships, and there is also a white Naval Ensign and a light blue Air Force Ensign.
See also
External link
Referenced By
Flag of New Zealand
|
