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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. It consists of a shield composed of six 'quarters' representing the six states of the Commonwealth, enclosed by an ermine border. The crest of the Arms is a seven-pointed star, symbolic of national unity, surrounded by a wreath of golden wattle, the national floral emblem. The shield is held up by a kangaroo and an emu, native Australian fauna, which symbolise progress and the nation moving forward.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shield | Contains symbols of Australia's six states |
| Supporters | A kangaroo and an emu, native Australian animals |
| Crest | A seven-pointed Commonwealth Star representing the states and territories |
| Base | Golden wattle, the national floral emblem |
| Border | Ermine, symbolising the "encompassing authority of the Australian crown" |
| Quarters | Six, representing the six states of the Commonwealth |
| Wreath | Gold and blue, the livery colours of the Arms |
| Scroll | With the word "Australia" |
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What You'll Learn
The shield
The Australian coat of arms, also known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. It consists of a shield composed of six 'quarters', each representing one 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 first quarter of the shield contains a red St George's Cross on a silver background, with a lion passant guardant in the centre and an eight-pointed star on each limb. The second quarter features the Constellation of the Southern Cross, represented by five mullets (stars), one of eight points, two of seven, one of six, and one of five. An imperial crown surmounts the constellation.
The third quarter of the shield bears a Maltese Cross, also surmounted by an imperial crown. The fourth quarter displays an Australian piping shrike on a perch wreathed in green and red. The fifth quarter shows a black swan swimming to the left, and the sixth and final quarter depicts a lion passant.
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The seven-pointed star
The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, also known as the seven-pointed gold star, is a significant symbol in the Australian Coat of Arms, officially called the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. It represents the Commonwealth of Australia and signifies its authority and ownership. The seven-pointed star is placed above the shield, constituting the crest of the coat of arms, and is accompanied by a wreath of golden wattle, the national floral emblem.
The crest, which includes the seven-pointed star, is a crucial element in heraldry. In the context of the Australian Coat of Arms, it serves as a symbol of honour and authority for the Commonwealth. The crest is placed above the shield, which is the focal point of the coat of arms and represents the six states. The shield is held by two native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu, which symbolise progress and the nation moving forward, as these animals cannot easily walk backward.
The Australian Coat of Arms, with the seven-pointed star at its crest, is used by government departments, agencies, and Commonwealth courts and tribunals. It is a formal symbol that represents the Commonwealth of Australia and is employed to authenticate documents and indicate ownership. The coat of arms is also used by Australian senators and federal members of parliament in the course of their official duties.
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The golden wattle
The Australian Coat of Arms, also known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. It consists of a shield, supported by a kangaroo and an emu, surrounded by an ermine border. The shield is divided into six quarters, each representing the badge of an Australian state. Above the shield is a seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, symbolic of national unity and representing the states and territories.
The use of the golden wattle in the Coat of Arms is not just symbolic but also aesthetic. The bright golden colour of the flowers adds a striking visual element to the design. The wattle's delicate foliage and vibrant blooms contrast beautifully with the bold shield and the stately kangaroo and emu supporters.
While the wattle is not officially part of the Australian Coat of Arms, its presence enhances the symbolism and visual impact of the design. It serves as a reminder of the nation's natural beauty and the resilience of its people, making it an integral part of Australia's heraldic tradition.
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The kangaroo and emu supporters
The Australian Coat of Arms features a kangaroo and an emu standing on either side of a shield. These two animals are native to Australia and are the only species of their kind found on the continent. The red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa) is the most widely distributed species of kangaroo on the continent, while the emu is scientifically known as Dromaius novaehollandiae.
The kangaroo and emu were likely chosen because they are among the most well-known Australian animals and are large enough to be positioned together in scale, holding up the shield. They symbolise progress and the nation moving forward, as neither animal can easily walk backwards. The Director of the Parliament House Art Collection, Justine Van Mourik, has stated that the kangaroo must be male.
The two animals have never been designated as official animal emblems of Australia. Their depiction on the Coat of Arms is thought to have originated with a Croatian migrant who trademarked the image as a logo for his vineyard. The Coat of Arms is also sometimes depicted with branches of wattle tied with a ribbon, and a scroll bearing the word 'Australia'. These elements, however, are not mentioned in the Royal Warrant and do not constitute part of the complete Armorial Achievement.
The Coat of Arms is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia, signifying Commonwealth authority and ownership. It is used by Australian government departments, agencies, and authorities, as well as the Parliament and Commonwealth courts and tribunals. The Coat of Arms is also displayed on the uniforms of the Australian Olympic Team and the Matildas.
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The states and territories
The Australian Coat of Arms, also known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. It consists of a shield composed of six 'quarters', each representing one of the six states of the Commonwealth. The shield is held up by a kangaroo and an emu, two endemic Australian fauna that symbolise progress and the nation moving forward. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star above the crest represents the states and territories, while golden wattle, the national floral emblem, appears below the shield.
The first quarter, representing New South Wales, features a red St George's Cross on a silver background with a golden lion passant guardant and an eight-pointed star on each extremity of the cross. The second quarter, for Victoria, showcases the Constellation of the Southern Cross with five mullets of various points, ensigned with an Imperial Crown. The third quarter, for Queensland, displays a Maltese Cross surmounted by an Imperial Crown.
The fourth quarter, for South Australia, presents an Australian Piping Shrike perched on a wreath. The fifth quarter, for Western Australia, features a black swan on a golden background. The sixth and final quarter, for Tasmania, depicts a lion passant.
The Coat of Arms is used by Australian Government departments, agencies, statutory and non-statutory authorities, Parliament, and Commonwealth courts and tribunals. It serves as a symbol of authority and ownership, authenticating documents and indicating ownership of property. The Arms are also featured on the uniforms of Australia's national sports teams, such as the Olympic Team and the Matildas.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Coat of Arms, officially the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The Coat of Arms consists of a shield composed of six 'quarters' representing the six states of the Commonwealth. The shield is held up by a kangaroo and an emu, native Australian animals. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star sits above the crest, representing the states and territories. Golden wattle, the national floral emblem, appears below the shield.
The kangaroo and emu symbolise progress and the nation moving forward as neither animal can easily walk backwards.
From left to right in the top row are the devices of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland (Quarters 1, 2 and 3). In the bottom row are the devices of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania (Quarters 4, 5 and 6).
The colours of the wreath of the crest are gold and blue, representing the livery colours of the Arms.
