What does the Southern Cross on the Australian flag represent?

The Stars. The Commonwealth Star is the emblem of Australian Federation. Six points represent the states and the seventh all the federal territories which together constitute the nation, the Commonwealth of Australia. The constellation of the Southern Cross indicates our geographical location in the southern hemisphere …

What does Southern Cross stand for?

The Southern Cross or Crux, a constellation visible in the Southern Hemisphere, is depicted on flags and coats of arms of various countries and sub-national entities. This star constellation is visible mostly in the southern hemisphere and it therefore symbolises the southern location of its users.

What is the Red Cross on the Australian flag?

The central red cross, in a larger silver cross, is the Red Cross of St George, the old badge of the colony. It is also the Navy flag badge and so recognises the work of such naval officers as Captain Cook and governors Philip, Hunter, King and Bligh.

What do people use the Southern Cross for?

The north and south celestial poles lie above Earth’s north and south poles. But, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you can indeed use the Southern Cross – also known as the constellation Crux – to find celestial south. Then you can draw a line downward from celestial south to find the direction due south.

What is the Southern Cross flag based on?

The flag was designed by Canadian miner “Captain” Henry Ross, a member of the Ballarat Reform League. With the central feature being the Southern Cross. Ross was inspired by the design of the Australian Federation Flagand incorporated the eight star cross which was a symbol of the Reform League.

Why do protestors use red Australian flag?

The Australian navy flag, otherwise known as the red ensign is often seen at anti-government protests. It’s almost certain the flag has gained popularity due to its use by Australia’s sovereign citizen (or “SovCit”) movement, a fringe group who believe laws do not apply to them.

What Colour was the original Australian flag?

History of the Australian Red Ensign There was considerable confusion in the first half of the 20th century over the appropriate use of the Red Ensign as opposed to the Blue Ensign. This was clarified with the passage of the Flags Act 1953 which proclaimed the Blue Ensign as the Australian National Flag.

How many flags does the Southern Cross appear on?

five nations
The Southern Cross features on the flags of five nations. In order from the top of this montage, they are New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

How do you read South from the Southern Cross?

Draw an imaginary line from the top of the cross to the bottom and extend it 4.5 times. Drop a vertical line from this point, which is the South Celestial Pole (SCP), to the horizon – that place is due south.

What is wrong with the Australian flag?

The flag is not distinctive because it contains the national flag of another country in a position of prominence. In particular, the flag is difficult to distinguish from a variety of flags based on the British Blue Ensign, most notably the national flag of New Zealand and the state flag of Victoria.

What does the Australian flag look like with the cross?

The cross is replaced with the Southern Cross and the Commonwealth Star / Federation Star. Proclaimed as a flag of Australia in 1982. A field of air force blue with the Union Flag in the canton, the Commonwealth Star below the Union Flag with the Southern Cross in the fly and the RAAF roundel in the lower fly.

What does the star on the Australian flag mean?

Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth, or Federation, star. It has seven points representing the unity of the six states and the territories of the Commonwealth of Australia. The star is also featured on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. The Southern Cross is shown on the flag in white.

Why is the Southern Cross so special?

First of all the Southern Cross represents the most distinctive feature of the constellation Crux, the smallest constellation in the sky above Australia. It can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere. The star to the left of the southern cross has 7 points, one for each state and one for all the territories of Australia.

What does the Southern Cross mean on the Eureka Flag?

The Southern Cross is on the Eureka Flag, which represents freedom and democracy. According to the Australian National Flag Association, the primary purpose of the Southern Cross is to represent our geographic position in the Southern Hemisphere.