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Australian Flag - Meaning
The study of flags is called Vexillology and comes from the Latin
word vexillum ("flag") and the Greek suffix -logy ("study").
The word "flag" is derived from the old Saxon word "fflaken" which means
to fly or to float in the air. The idea of flying a flag grew from the
requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield. Shields were
painted with emblems or symbols to identify friend or enemy. Warriors
needed to know where their leaders were hence the custom of carrying a
pole was adopted and subsequently the idea of flags began! Flags and
banners were even mentioned in the bible, the following quote is
from the bible book entitled Song of Solomons, (6:10): "Thou
art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible
as an army with banners."
Australian Flag
- Description
The Australian Flag is
described as follows:
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The upper left
quarter of the Australian flag is called the Canton and pictures
the UK Union Jack Flag
-
The Australian
flag pictures a large seven-pointed star known as the
Commonwealth Star which symbolises the federation of the
colonies of Australia in 1901
-
The Commonwealth
Star depicts one point for each of the six original states
and one representing the six original states and the
territories of Australia
-
The Commonwealth
Star is displayed in the lower hoist-side quadrant of the
Australian flag
-
The fly half of
the Australian flag pictures a representation of the
Southern Cross constellation featuring white stars, One
small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed
stars
Australian Flag -
Color
Symbolism
According to
Ancient and Heraldic traditions there is a vast amount of symbolism
associated with the color of a nations flag. The full development of
heraldry in about 1200AD also brought sophisticated design of flags,
some of which includes a Coat of Arms. The
individual colors that make up the Australian flag represent the
following:
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White -
Peace and honesty
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Blue -
Vigilance, Truth and Loyalty, Perseverance & Justice
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Red -
Hardiness, Bravery, Strength & Valour
Australian Flag
- Definition
A flag is
defined as a symbol or emblem usually consisting of a rectangular
piece of cloth of distinctive design. Flags are also often used as a
signalling device and method of communication. Government buildings
are often decorated with flags. A cloth usually bearing a device or
devices and used to indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or
ask information; commonly attached to a staff to be waved by the
wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors; as, the national
flag; a military or a naval flag.
Australia
and the Australian Flag
- Facts
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The British
monarch is still the head of state for Australia despite it
being an independent nation
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The longest
river in Australia is the Murray
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The highest
point in Australia is Mount Kosciusko
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There are over
fifty different species of Kangaroo in Australia
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The Sydney
Harbour bridge is one of Australia's best known landmarks.
It was built in 1932 and provides a link between the north
and south of the city
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The Australian
gold rush began in the 1850's and the country is now a major
exporter of other metals including Zinc, Tin, Nickel,
Tungsten and gold
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The Australian
flag pictures a large seven-pointed star known as the
Commonwealth Star which represents the federation of the
colonies of Australia in 1901
-
The Commonwealth
Star depicts one point for each of the six original states
and one representing the six original states and the
territories of Australia
-
The Commonwealth
Star is displayed in the lower hoist-side quadrant
-
The fly half of
the Australian flag pictures a representation of the
Southern Cross constellation featuring white stars, One
small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed
stars
-
Australia is
situated between the Pacific and Indian Ocean
-
The Great
Barrier Reef is found off the north-eastern coast of
Australia and is over 2,000km from north to south
-
Several animals
can only be found in Australia including: Kangaroos, Koalas,
Tasmanian Devils and
Duck Billed Platypuses
-
Australia is
become famous world wide for its vineyards. Its quality
wines are now exported all over the world
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The Argyle
diamond Mill in the Kimberley region of Western Australia
and one of the largest sources of Pink diamonds in the
world. Blue diamonds are also mined at the Australian Argyle mine
Displaying the Australian Flag -
What you need to know about the Australian Flag!
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The
shape and flag ratio of the Australian Flag is 1:2 (the length
is twice the height)
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The upper left
quarter of the flag is called the Canton and pictures the UK
Union Jack Flag
-
All
Flag pictures show flags flying, from the viewer's
point of view, from left to right
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The
Study of the Flags is known as Vexillology
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The
upper left quarter of the flag is known as the
Canton
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A Flag
share is the flag officer's share of prize money
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People
with an interest in flags are called Vexillologists
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The
Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they
were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of
spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of
a pole soon followed
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The act or
function of raising the Australian Flag, as on a rope is referred to as
hoisting
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To denote grief
and mourning, the Australian Flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole , this is called flying the flag at
Half Staff or Half Mast and is carried out by firstly
raising the Australian Flag to the top, then lowering the Australian Flag halfway
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To show distress
the Australian Flag is flown upside-down
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Always hoist the
Australian Flag briskly and lower the Australian Flag ceremoniously
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No disrespect
should be shown to the Australian flag
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The Australian Flag should
never be displayed, used, fastened or kept in such a way as
to allow the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in
any way
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The Australian Flag should
never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor
attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure,
design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
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To strike, or
lower the Australian Flag is the process of hauling it down. It is a
token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of
surrender
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To hang out a
white flag is a method of asking for a truce or quarter, or,
in some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a
white flag
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To dip the flag
is the process of lowering and quickly restore it to its
place is often done as a mark of respect
Dream Definition -
Australian Flag
Seeing your
national flag in your dream means peace and/or prosperity.
Seeing a flag of a foreign nation indicates a breach of trust
between friends.
Australian Flag
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