Damon Mcknight
The Australian coat of arms features two native Australian animals: the kangaroo and the emu. The coat of arms, officially the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. The two animals hold up a shield, which contains symbols of Australia's six states. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star above the shield represents the states and territories, while golden wattle, the national floral emblem, appears below the shield.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals on the Australian logo | Kangaroo and Emu |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian logo features a kangaroo and an emu
The first arms were authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908, and the current version was authorised by King George V on 19 September 1912. The escutcheon (central shield) is the focal point of the coat of arms, and contains six quarters, each containing a representation of the badge of an Australian state. The whole shield is surrounded by an ermine border, which symbolises the "encompassing authority of the Australian crown".
The emu and kangaroo were chosen as shield bearers for the logo, despite some objections that they did not fit into the heraldic atmosphere. The animals were modified to appear more realistic, and the bed of grass beneath the shield was removed. The scroll was also changed to simply read "Australia", and the colours in the wreath were changed from blue and white to blue and gold.
The combination of kangaroo and emu meat in a single dish, such as a pie or pizza, is known as the Coat of Arms, as Australians are sometimes claimed to be the only people who eat the animals on their coat of arms.
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The logo is known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms
The first iteration of the Coat of Arms was authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908. However, the current version was authorised by King George V on 19 September 1912. Interestingly, the 1908 version continued to be used in some contexts, notably on the reverse of the sixpenny coin.
The central shield, or escutcheon, is the focal point of the Coat of Arms. It contains six quarters, each bearing the badge of an Australian state. The shield is surrounded by an ermine border, symbolising the "encompassing authority of the Australian crown".
The inclusion of the kangaroo and emu in the Coat of Arms has not been without controversy. Some have argued that these animals "do not fit into the heraldic atmosphere", and that including them in the Coat of Arms is "ridiculous". Despite these objections, the kangaroo and emu remain as shield bearers, and their depictions were modified to appear more realistic.
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The shield in the logo contains symbols of Australia's six states
The coat of arms of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of Australia and its states. The logo features two native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu, holding up a shield that contains symbols of Australia's six states. The shield, or escutcheon, is the focal point of the coat of arms. It is divided into six quarters, each containing the heraldic badge of an Australian state.
The first quarter depicts a Cross Gules, or a red cross, charged with a lion passant guardant, or a walking lion facing forward, with a mullet of eight points, or an eight-pointed star, on each limb. This quarter likely represents the state of New South Wales, as the red cross and lion are symbols associated with its capital, Sydney.
The second quarter features the Constellation of the Southern Cross, with five stars of varying sizes, ensigned with an Imperial Crown. This quarter likely represents the state of Victoria, as the Southern Cross is a prominent symbol in its flag and coat of arms.
The third quarter displays a Maltese Cross, also known as the Cross of Amalfi, surmounted by an Imperial Crown. This quarter could represent the state of Queensland, as the Maltese Cross is a symbol associated with its capital, Brisbane.
The fourth quarter shows an Australian Piping Shrike, a native bird, displayed on a perch wreathed in green and red. This quarter likely symbolizes the state of South Australia, as the Piping Shrike is a distinctive bird found in the region.
The fifth quarter depicts a black swan swimming to the left on a golden background. This quarter likely represents the state of Western Australia, as the black swan is a symbol featured on its flag and coat of arms.
The sixth and final quarter presents another lion passant, or walking lion, on a white background. This quarter could symbolize the state of Tasmania, as the lion is a traditional symbol of strength and power, reflecting the resilience of the island state.
Each quarter of the shield in the Australian logo thus represents one of the six states, with symbolic elements that capture the unique character and identity of each region.
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The logo was authorised by King Edward VII in 1908
The logo, or coat of arms, of Australia features two native Australian animals: the kangaroo and the emu. The coat of arms was first authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908. It was designed by Wilson Dobbs and consisted of a shield at the centre, with a seven-pointed star on a wreath as the crest above it. The kangaroo and emu stand on either side, with the emu using its foot to help the kangaroo support the shield. The animals stand on a bed of green grass, with a scroll containing the motto "Advance Australia".
The selection of the kangaroo, the emu, and the words "Advance Australia" were tied together symbolically. The shield had a white background, with a red cross of Saint George, blue lines outside the cross, and a blue border containing six inescutcheons featuring a red chevron on white, representing the six states.
The coat of arms has appeared on Australian coinage since the early 20th century. The 1908 coat of arms featured on the reverse of all silver coins in regular circulation until 1936. The 1908 version continued to be used in some contexts, notably appearing on the reverse of the sixpenny coin.
The 1908 arms were redesigned in 1911 and officially granted by King George V on 19 September 1912. This second version was more intricate and difficult to decipher than the original. The structure, however, remained unchanged. The central shield now comprises six smaller shields, each with an independent coat of arms.
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The current version was approved by King George V in 1912
The coat of arms of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. The current version of the coat of arms was approved by King George V on 19 September 1912. This approval came in the form of a royal warrant, which officially granted the arms. The coat of arms consists of a shield composed of six 'quarters' or segments, each representing the badge of an Australian state. The whole shield is surrounded by an ermine border, symbolising the "encompassing authority of the Australian crown". The escutcheon, or central shield, is the focal point of the coat of arms.
The coat of arms is held up by two native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, which surmounts the crest, also represents the states and territories. Golden wattle, the national floral emblem, appears below the shield. The 1912 version of the coat of arms was of special significance, with each element, from colours to the crest, wreath and border, carrying a special meaning.
The 1912 version of the coat of arms replaced the one authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908. The 1908 version continued to be used in some contexts, such as on the reverse of the sixpenny coin. The 1912 version addressed concerns that Australia's states were not individually represented. As a result, each state's heraldic badge was depicted on the shield. The colours in the wreath were also changed from blue and white to blue and gold, and a background of two sprays of golden wattle was added.
The 1912 coat of arms was used as the banner of arms at the coronation of King George V in 1911. The banner of the 1908–1912 coat of arms was used at the coronation. This was the first time the banner of arms was used at a coronation, and it was subsequently used at the coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian coat of arms features a kangaroo and an emu.
The kangaroo and emu are native Australian animals and are the bearers of the shield, which contains symbols of Australia's six states.
The coat of arms also includes a seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, which represents the states and territories, and golden wattle, the national floral emblem.
