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Know your flags and emblems
How well do you know the flag and emblems of NSW? We've put together this section to give you a hand.
Did you know that people have used flags and other emblems since the beginning of civilisation to show they're part of a group. They're also used as a source of pride.
It's like having a team mascot - The Sydney Swans has 'Cygnatius' the Swan as its team mascot, the State of NSW has the Waratah, Blue Groper, Platypus and Kookaburra.
The Australian Flag
Aboriginal Flag
Torres Strait Islander flag
NSW State Flag
National Coat of Arms
NSW Coat of Arms
Crest NSW Parliament
Animal Emblem: Platypus
Bird Emblem: Kookaburra
Floral Emblem: Waratah
Fish Emblem: Blue Groper
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The Australian Flag
The Australian National Flag symbolises Australia's historical links with Britain (Union Jack) and Australia's location in the Southern Hemisphere (stars of the Southern Cross). The larger seven-pointed star represents the six original states and the Territories of the Commonwealth.
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The Australian Aboriginal Flag
The Australian Aboriginal Flag - designed by Harold Thomas - was first flown on National Aboriginal Day' on 12 July 1971. The flag's colours represent - black for Aboriginal people, red for the earth and ochre, used in ceremonies, and yellow to symbolise the sun, the constant renewer of life.
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The Torres Strait Islander Flag
The Torres Strait Islander flag - designed by the late Bernard Namok of Thursday Island - stands for the unity and identity of all Torres Strait Islanders.
The top and bottom panels of the flag are green for the land and the middle panel is blue for the sea. The black is for the people and white is for peace. A white dari (headdress) and a 5-pointed star represent island groups in the Torres Strait.
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New South Wales flag
The New South Wales State flag has been in use since 1876. It includes the Union Jack and the NSW badge. The badge consists of the Cross of St George in red on a white disc with an eight-pointed gold star on each arm and a golden lion in the centre.
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National coat of arms
The national coat of arms includes all the state badges under the seven-pointed star, symbolising the unity of the states and Commonwealth. It is supported by the emu and kangaroo.
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King Edward VII approved the New South Wales Arms in 1906.
- The central red cross is the Red Cross of St George, it is the old badge of the Colony. It is also the Navy flag badge and so recognises the contribution of naval officers such as Captain Cook and Governors Phillip, Hunter, King and Bligh.
- The four stars on the cross represent the Southern Cross, which was from earliest times a mariner's guide.
- The lion in the centre is the English lion from the British Arms.
- The golden fleece and the wheat sheaves in the corners represent NSW's primary industries.
- The rising sun crest continues the use of the earliest colonial crest and represents a newly rising country.
- The right-hand supporter, the lion, is a recognition of the British origin of the first settlers and the continuing connection between the two countries.
- The left-hand supporter, the kangaroo, is Australia's most distinctive animal. It is often used as an emblem of Australia.
- The motto means "Newly risen, how brightly you shine".
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Crest of the New South Wales Parliament
The 'Belted Crest' of the Parliament of NSW incorporates the New South Wales Coat of Arms. The Crown is a reminder that the State Governor (the Monarch's representative), along with the two Houses of Parliament, is part of the Legislature.
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Animal Emblem: Platypus
The platypus is the animal emblem of New South Wales. It lives in rivers and streams and is well adapted to life in the water with its close fur, webbed feet and duck-like bill. It feeds on freshwater yabbies, worms, insects and their larvae and snails, nosing in the gravel with its sensitive bill.
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Bird Emblem: Kookaburra
The kookaburra is the bird emblem of New South Wales. This great brown kingfisher is sometimes called a 'laughing jackass' because of its distinctive territorial laughing call. Meat eaters, they hunt snakes, lizards, fish and insects. They live at forest edges, in clearings and open woodland country and have adapted well to life in our towns and suburbs.
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Floral Emblem: Waratah
The Waratah is the floral emblem of New South Wales. It is a stout, erect shrub which may grow to four metres. The flowers are grouped in rounded heads 7-10 cm in diameter surrounded by crimson bracts. It flowers from September to November.
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Fish emblem: Blue Groper
The Blue Groper was proclaimed the State fish of New South Wales in 2002. Males are blue, females are reddish brown and juveniles are green. Adults can reach a length of 1.2m and weigh up to 50kg. They are found among the rocky reefs along the east coast of Australia, from southern Queensland to Wilson's promontory in Victoria and feed on molluscs and crustaceans.
An inquisitive fish, they are easily caught and have been extensively fished.
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