Leslie Massey
Australia is home to a diverse range of unique wildlife, but none are as iconic as the kangaroo and the emu, which have become known as the national animals of Australia. Both feature on the country's coat of arms, and the kangaroo, in particular, has become a globally recognised symbol of Australia, appearing on currency, stamps, and even the logo for the national airline, Qantas. The emu is also endemic to Australia and holds cultural significance in Aboriginal mythology.
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What You'll Learn
The red kangaroo and emu are the national animals of Australia
The emu is the second tallest bird in the world and the largest native bird in Australia. It is also endemic to the country and holds cultural significance in Aboriginal mythology, featuring in creation myths and cultural dances. Like the kangaroo, the emu is also believed to symbolise progress, as neither animal can easily walk backwards.
Both the red kangaroo and emu were included on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, granted by King George V in 1912. The coat of arms depicts a shield containing symbols of Australia's six states and is held up by the two animals. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star surmounting the crest represents the states and territories, while the golden wattle, the national flower, appears below the shield.
The red kangaroo and emu have become widely recognised as Australian symbols due to their inclusion on the coat of arms. They are also popular motifs in decorative arts and have been featured on coins, logos, and sports team names and mascots. The combination of kangaroo and emu meat in dishes like pies or pizzas is even known colloquially as the "Coat of Arms".
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The kangaroo is a symbol of Australia
The kangaroo was recognised as an official symbol of Australia when it was included on the nation's coat of arms in 1908, along with the emu. The two animals were chosen because they are endemic to Australia and are large enough to be positioned together in scale holding up the shield. The fact that neither animal can easily walk backwards is also said to symbolise progress and the nation moving forward.
The kangaroo has also been used by companies to symbolise Australia. For example, the Australian Made logo consists of a golden kangaroo in a green triangle to show that a product is grown or made in the country. Early Australian companies such as Yung, Schollenberger & Co. and Arnold V. Henn also used the kangaroo in their trademarks.
The kangaroo has always been an important animal for Aboriginal Australians, who use it for its meat, hide, bone, and tendon. It is also featured in Australian Aboriginal mythology and cultural dances.
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The emu is important in Australian Aboriginal mythology
The kangaroo and the emu are the national animals of Australia. The emu is an important animal in Australian Aboriginal mythology, included in creation myths and cultural dances. The emu is the second tallest bird in the world and the largest native bird in Australia. The flightless bird is found throughout most of the Australian continent.
The Aboriginal people of Australia developed an astronomy where figures from their mythology were represented by the dark patches, stars, and other features of the night sky. The emu is one such figure, with the Coalsack Nebula in the night sky representing the head of the "Emu in the Sky", and the body and legs formed by the dust trails that reach out across the Milky Way. This is an example of how the emu is deeply embedded in the place-based cultural attachments of the Aboriginal people.
The emu is also a totem animal for some Aboriginal groups, representing a sacred connection between humans and the natural world. Its presence in their mythology reinforces the importance of respecting and living in harmony with the environment. The emu is seen as a powerful and spiritual creature, often associated with creation, life, and the land.
The emu has great spiritual significance for the Aboriginal people, and it is an integral part of their cultural practices and beliefs. The emu is featured in many Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, and it is also a primary food source during the seasonal egg cycle. Emus have been traditionally hunted and harvested by Aboriginal communities, and their meat, eggs, feathers, and bones have been used for sustenance, tools, and ceremonial purposes.
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The kangaroo has been featured on Australian currency
The kangaroo is one of the national animals of Australia, alongside the emu. The red kangaroo is the world's largest marsupial and is found all across mainland Australia. The kangaroo was recognised as an official symbol of Australia when it was included on the nation's coat of arms in 1908.
The Australian Gold Kangaroo coin is another example of the kangaroo being featured on Australian currency. These coins were first released in 1990 and feature a new kangaroo-themed design each year, with the exception of the 1-kilo Gold Kangaroo, which features the same classic design. The Gold Kangaroo coins are available in a wide range of sizes, from 1/10 oz up to 1 kilogram.
In addition to the Silver and Gold Kangaroo coins, kangaroos have also appeared on Australia's pre-decimal penny and half-penny coins, as well as the country's one-dollar coin, where five kangaroos are depicted. The kangaroo is a popular symbol of Australia and its inclusion on the country's currency reflects its significance to the nation.
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The emu is the second-tallest bird in the world
The emu is one of the national animals of Australia, alongside the red kangaroo. It is the second-tallest bird in the world and the largest native bird in Australia. Emus are flightless birds that can be found throughout most of the Australian continent. Their height ranges from 4.9 ft to 6.2 ft.
Emus are known for their specialized musculature, which enables them to run very quickly. They use their large wings to stabilize themselves while running. On average, their step measures 3.3 ft while walking, but this can increase to 9 ft at a gallop, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. This speed and their long strides are likely why they were chosen, along with the kangaroo, to symbolise progress and the nation moving forward, as neither animal can easily walk backward.
The emu is an important figure in Australian Aboriginal mythology and is featured in creation myths and cultural dances. The emu is also recognised as an Australian symbol due to its inclusion on the country's coat of arms, alongside the kangaroo. This coat of arms was granted by King George V in 1912, replacing an earlier version from 1908. The emu and kangaroo hold up a shield that contains symbols of Australia's six states.
The emu has a stable population and a wide range, which has led to its classification as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN. This classification indicates that the emu is not currently considered threatened or endangered. The emu's ability to thrive in the harsh weather conditions of the Australian continent further highlights its significance as a symbol of Australia's resilience and adaptability.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's national animals are the red kangaroo and the emu.
The kangaroo and the emu were chosen as they are endemic Australian fauna and are the most well-known native Australian animals. They are also popular symbols of Australia and are large enough to be positioned together in scale holding up the shield on the Australian coat of arms.
The red kangaroo and the emu became Australia's national animals in 1912 when they were included on the country's coat of arms.
The kangaroo and the emu are significant in Australian culture as they symbolise progress and the nation moving forward, as neither animal can easily walk backwards. The kangaroo has also been a very important animal for Aboriginal Australians, who use it for its meat, hide, bone, and tendon.
