Flag and the coat of arms of Australia. What animal is on the coat of arms of Australia?

Australia - a mysterious and unusual country, located either on the smallest continent, or on the largest island. Animals that live in the territory of this state are also unusual and unusual, and besides, they are not found anywhere else. Clearly, with such initial data, the coat of arms of Australia is almost the most artistic, special and unusual among all the coats of arms on Earth.

History of the Australian coat of arms

The history of modern Australia began with the settling of her exiled convicts. And let them go to "emigration" is not voluntary, the descendants of many of them still inhabit this continent. The aborigines (Bushmen) who inhabited the country before exiled criminals did not have a state, so it is not necessary to speak about the coat of arms of Australia before the European times. And at the beginning of a more modern history, this country consisted of disparate parts, so that the history of its coat of arms began only in the twentieth century.

The man who gave the state coat of arms of Australia, was British King Edward Seventh. It was he who approved the original version of this state symbol in 1908, in fact recognizing that the distant island-continent became practically independent. This happened on May 7, and after about four and a half years the final (at least for the time being) approved, the familiar coat of arms of Australia. This was done in 1912, on September 19. An interesting fact: the "morally obsolete" type of coat of arms was used and much later, the year before the 66th. For example, he was minted on sixpence.

What is depicted on the coat of arms of Australia?

Its central part, in the best traditions of heraldry, occupies a shield. It is divided into six parts - "states" or individual states that have become part of Australia. Interestingly, the shield is held by two of the most recognizable Australian animals - the emu and the kangaroo. They stand on the branches of a mimosa. This plant is also called golden acacia. The shield itself is divided into six approximately equal parts.

And what other animals on the coat of arms of Australia are present? A bird called a shrike, a swan and a lion. They are all symbolic and bear a profound meaning.

But in addition to animals, the coat of arms also contains other symbols: a seven-pointed star located centrally above the shield, the constellation Southern Cross, the crown, the golden star with a cross. At the bottom there is necessarily an artistically curved ribbon with the signature of the name of the state (it is also the name of the mainland).

And each image is not chosen simply - the coat of arms of Australia is actually a disguised chronicle of its history.

Symbolism of parts of the Australian coat of arms

The election of the shield by the center of the composition is not surprising: first of all, the shield always symbolizes protection. The second heraldic meaning is both victory and possession. If you consider that Australia is not so easily received what is now called "autonomy", it is not surprising that the basis for her coat of arms chose the shield. At the same time, from the heraldic point of view, Australians are extremely honest: the edge of the shield is framed by an ermine curb. And those who are not familiar with the basic provisions of heraldry, it should be understood that ermine is an animal royal and royal; At certain times in some countries only members of the "ruling family" could wear clothes from his fur. Thus, the coat of arms of Australia reflects the fact of a long protectorate of Britain over this distant continent.

At the same time, every sixth part of the shield also symbolizes some part of the country, which at one time was part of the state. So, the shrike is South Australia. The staff, called "Victoria" (which simultaneously recalls the legendary British queen, which gave the name of the whole era, and the goddess of victory), combines the Southern Cross and the imperial crown. The symbol of Queensland is the Maltese cross, and in New Wales there is a common cross, but with a golden star. Western Australia is represented by a rising swan. Tasmania got a solemnly walking lion with his paw raised.

An interesting moment in the coat of arms of Australia is a seven-ray star. If parts of the country are six (namely, they are designated by the rays of a star), then where did the seventh come from? He designates the federal district of Canberra, which in fact is not a state. According to another theory - a sign of the unification of all Australian lands into a single whole.

Symbolism of animals in the arms

Curious is the value that Australians attach to beasts on their arms. In their opinion, not all the participants are equal from the whole "zoo" on the power symbol. On the question of which animal on the coat of arms of Australia is important, they will not hesitate a moment, say that there are two such: kangaroos and emus. Because they are purely physiologically can not move backwards. And that's why they are the main symbols of Australia.

Rules for the "use" of the coat of arms

What can not be ignored is the fact that, for the so-called "internal" use of the coat of arms, it does not even require special drawing skills. Everything can be schematic, if only the main "participants", of which the coat of arms of Australia consists, were well recognizable. Cubism and avant-gardism, I think, it's not worth taking a fancy, but they will not be hard on you.

Another thing is official use. If you are going to display the coat of arms of Australia at a solemn event, when meeting foreign (high-ranking) persons or apply, for example, in your logo, you will have to comply with all the rules, and quite strictly. You can only be comforted by the fact that the motto on the ribbon, rather complicated in drawing the mimosa and the base of the coat of arms are not mandatory - these are more decorative parts.

Another state symbol

As in other countries, the flag and the coat of arms of Australia are its main state symbols. The flag is also symbolic, like the coat of arms of this country. Like the very first version of the state flag, there is an image of the British flag on the banner. Previously, it was considered a designation of fidelity to the crown, now has a more historical meaning - it displays the past of a small continent. Six stars on a blue background - a symbol of six colonies, united in one state.

In the last few decades, many Australians are unhappy with their flag - they have long ceased to like its component in the form of a British banner. At the same time, they joyfully, actively and friendly celebrate their Flag Day (September 3), celebrating it with festivities, fireworks and festive mood, despite the fact that this day remains a worker (unless, of course, falls on Sunday).