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The Australian Coat of Arms, also known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Coat of Arms features a shield, supported by two native Australian animals—a kangaroo and an emu—and adorned with symbols of Australia's six states. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star above the shield represents the states and territories, while golden wattle, Australia's national floral emblem, appears below the shield. The Coat of Arms has undergone several redesigns since its first official grant by King Edward VII in 1908, with the current version authorised by King George V in 1912.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shield | Contains symbols of Australia's six states |
| Supporters | Native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu |
| Crest | A seven-pointed Commonwealth Star representing the states and territories |
| Below the shield | Golden wattle, the national floral emblem |
| Motto | 'Advance Australia' |
| Scroll | The word 'Australia' |
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What You'll Learn
The shield
The first quarter is Argent a Cross Gules charged with a Lion passant guardant between on each limb, a mullet of eight points Or. The second quarter is Azure five Mullets, one of eight, two of seven, one of six and one of five points of the first, representing the Constellation of the Southern Cross, ensigned with an Imperial Crown proper. The third quarter is a Maltese Cross of the fourth, surmounted by a like Imperial Crown. The fourth quarter is a perch wreathed Vert and Gules, with an Australian Piping Shrike displayed. The fifth quarter is Or a Swan naiant to the sinister Sable. The sixth quarter is a Lion passant of the second.
The first official Coat of Arms, granted by King Edward VII in 1908, featured a simple shield of white and blue enclosing a cross of Saint George, on which there were five six-pointed white stars. This was surrounded by six small escutcheons, or small shields. The absence of specific references to the states in the 1908 Arms led to a number of alterations, which were approved by King George V in 1912.
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The kangaroo and emu supporters
The Australian coat of arms features a kangaroo and an emu, which are native Australian animals. These animals hold up or support the shield, which is the central feature of the coat of arms. The kangaroo is on the left and the emu on the right. They are positioned together in scale, holding up the shield, likely because they are the most well-known native Australian animals large enough to do so. They symbolise progress and the nation moving forward as neither animal can easily walk backwards.
The kangaroo and emu have never been designated as official animal emblems of the nation. They owe their unofficial recognition to the fact that they are endemic Australian fauna (found only on that continent). The animals were chosen by William Gullick, who also designed the New South Wales coat of arms. He brought to public attention the existence of the Bowman Flag of 1805, which depicted a rose, shamrock and thistle supported by a kangaroo and emu.
There is some debate about the positioning of the animals. The member of Parliament for Wentworth, Willie Kelly, said: "The emu and kangaroo are so built that they hardly fit into the heraldic atmosphere, and I think we make ourselves ridiculous when we endeavour to carry on the traditions of the Old World with some of the wild creations of our Australian fauna." Director of the Parliament House Art Collection, Justine Van Mourik, has also claimed that the kangaroo is, and must be seen to be, male. This requirement led to a interpretation by John Coburn of the coat of arms for Parliament House to be rejected.
The coat of arms is usually depicted with branches of wattle tied with ribbon, emblematic of Australia, and with a scroll having the word 'Australia' at the base. However, the wattle, the scroll and the brackets upon which the supporters rest do not constitute part of the complete Armorial Achievement and are not mentioned in the Royal Warrant.
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The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star
The Australian coat of arms features a seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, also known as the Star of Federation. This star represents the unification of Australia's six states, with the seventh point representing the territories. The star sits atop the shield, which is held up by a kangaroo and an emu, two endemic Australian fauna chosen for their recognisability and inability to walk backwards, symbolising progress and the nation moving forward.
The coat of arms was first granted by King Edward VII in 1908, but it was King George V who granted the current version in 1912, addressing the absence of specific references to the states in the original design. The 1912 version introduced changes to the shield, more explicitly representing the states, and altering the colours of the wreath of the crest to gold and blue, now known as the livery colours of the Arms.
The Australian coat of arms, with its seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, has become a recognisable symbol of the country's Commonwealth authority. The star's inclusion in the design underscores the federal nature of Australia's government and the union of its states and territories. While there have been debates and redesign proposals over the years, the core elements of the coat of arms, including the seven-pointed star, have remained, reflecting the country's enduring commitment to its federal structure.
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The golden wattle
The Australian coat of arms features a wreath of golden wattle, Australia's national floral emblem. Wattle, or Acacia pycnantha, is a species of Acacia tree native to Australia. The inclusion of wattle in the coat of arms is emblematic of Australia.
The wreath of golden wattle sits below the shield, which is held up by a kangaroo and an emu, two endemic Australian fauna. The wreath is not botanically accurate in its representation. The 1912 Royal Warrant, which granted the coat of arms, does not mention the wattle wreath, nor the scroll with the word 'Australia' on it.
The coat of arms is used by the Commonwealth to identify its authority and property. The arms are for official use only and belong to the Commonwealth.
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The scroll
The Australian coat of arms is a national symbol that reflects the country's cultural heritage and values. One of its components is a scroll, which plays a significant role in completing the symbolism of the coat of arms. The scroll, or motto, as it is often referred to, is an important element in the composition of a coat of arms, as it represents the guiding principles or values of the entity it represents. In the case of the Australian coat of arms, the scroll bears the country's official motto, "Advance Australia."
The presence of the scroll adds a sense of motion and dynamism to the coat of arms. It is typically placed below the shield, with the text inscribed on it. The text on the Australian scroll, "Advance Australia," serves as a rallying cry, encouraging the nation to strive for progress and improvement. This motto was adopted in 1908 and remains a enduring expression of Australia's aspirations.
Heraldically, the scroll is often depicted with intricate details, such as curled edges or decorative patterns, adding to the visual appeal of the coat of arms. The text itself may be inscribed in a specific font or style that complements the overall design. In the case of the Australian coat of arms, the scroll has a simple yet elegant design, with a red background and yellow text, reflecting the colors of the country's national flag.
The placement of the scroll below the shield signifies the foundation on which the nation's values stand. It represents the principles that guide the country's actions and decisions, almost like a reminder or a statement of purpose. The scroll is an integral part of the coat of arms, providing context and completing the visual representation of Australia's identity and ideals.
The design of the scroll has remained consistent since its inclusion in the coat of arms, symbolizing the enduring nature of Australia's values and aspirations. It serves as a constant reminder to the nation's citizens of the principles that unite them and the ideals they strive for. The scroll is not just an artistic element but a powerful symbol that conveys a nation's spirit and character.
Overall, the scroll in the Australian coat of arms is a vital component that completes the symbolism and meaning of the design. It represents the nation's motto, adds visual appeal, and signifies the guiding principles on which the country stands. The scroll, with its enduring message of "Advance Australia," is a reminder of the nation's aspirations and a source of unity and pride for its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian coat of arms is made up of several components, each with its own symbolic significance. The central element is a shield containing symbols of Australia's six states. The shield is held up by two native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu, which symbolise progress and the nation moving forward. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star above the crest represents the states and territories, while the golden wattle, the national floral emblem, appears below the shield.
The kangaroo and emu symbolise progress and the nation moving forward. This is because neither animal can easily walk backwards. Additionally, they are endemic to Australia and are well-known native fauna, further identifying the Arms as being exclusively Australian.
The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star represents the six states and territories of Australia. It is known as the Commonwealth Star because it also denotes the 'union' or coming together of these states.
The first official Coat of Arms was granted by King Edward VII in a Royal Warrant on 7 May 1908. However, this version did not include specific references to the individual states. Following the unification of the states, King George V granted a new design in 1912, which incorporated the badges of the six states within the shield.
The colours used in the Australian coat of arms include gold, blue, white, and black. The gold and blue are the 'livery' colours of the Arms, featured in the wreath of the crest. These colours were chosen as they symbolise the encompassing authority of the Australian crown.
