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Flag of New South Wales

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New South Wales
Flag of New South Wales
UseState flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagReverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion1:2
Adopted1876;148 years ago(1876)
DesignA BritishBlue Ensigndefaced with the state badge in the fly
Standard of thegovernor of New South Wales
UseOtherSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagReverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion1:2
Adopted1981
DesignA BritishBlue Ensigndefaced with the state badge surmounted bySt Edward's Crownin the fly.

The current state flag ofNew South Waleswas officially adopted in 1876. The flag is based on thedefacedBritishBlue Ensignwith the state badge located in thefly.The badge, based on thecoat of arms,is a white disc with thecross of St George,a golden lion passant guardant in the centre of the cross and an eight-pointed gold star on each arm of the cross.

Symbolism[edit]

As a variant of theBlue Ensign,theUnion Jackis displayed in the canton. TheSt George's Cross,theSouthern Crossand the 'Lion in the South' are displayed in theBadge of New South Waleson the flag. The St George's Cross is used on the ensign of the BritishRoyal Navy,with a golden, 8-pointed star placed on each arm of the cross. This symbolises the maritime origins of New South Wales, with seafarers relying upon the Southern Cross to navigate the seas, and the role of the navy in protecting the State.[1]

The 'Lion in the South' is taken from the three golden lions on a red field on thearms of England,and symbolises both the sovereignty of New South Wales and the offspring of an old country. It represent the origins of the founders of theColonyof New South Wales as well as the independence of their succeeding generations.[2]

History[edit]

The first flag of New South Wales was adopted in 1867. It too was a defaced British Blue Ensign with the letters "NSW" in white located in the fly.[citation needed]The flag was a response to the passing of the BritishColonial Naval Defence Act 1865which allowed any British colony its own warships and variant of theBlue Ensign.[3]

New South Wales then adopted a second flag in 1870 and it was almost identical to that ofVictoria(with gold stars; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 points). This flag was also a defaced British Blue Ensign with the "Governor's Badge" located in the fly. The badge was theSouthern Crossand an imperial crown situated above the Southern Cross. The difference between this flag and that of theVictorian flagwas that the stars were gold and ranged from five to nine points with each star having one point pointing to the bottom of the flag.[citation needed]

The present flag was adopted due to criticisms from theBritish Admiraltythat the previous design was too similar to the design of theVictorian flag.[citation needed]

The state badge was designed by the Colonial ArchitectJames Barnetand CaptainFrancis Hixson,a retired Royal Navy officer.[3]

Historical New South Wales flags[edit]

  • Standard of the governor of New South Wales 1870–1876
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagStandard of the governor of New South Wales 1870–1876
  • Standard of the governor of New South Wales 1876–1981
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagStandard of the governor of New South Wales 1876–1981
  • Union Flag of Great Britain 1788–1800
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagUnion Flag of Great Britain 1788–1800
  • Flag of New South Wales 1867
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagFlag of New South Wales 1867
  • Flag of New South Wales 1870–1876
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagFlag of New South Wales 1870–1876
  • New South Wales Ensign 1831–1883
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagNew South Wales Ensign 1831–1883
  • New South Wales Customs Flag 1832–1882
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagNew South Wales Customs Flag 1832–1882
  • New South Wales Customs Flag 1882–1901
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagNew South Wales Customs Flag 1882–1901

Construction[edit]

Badge of New South Wales

Unlike the national flag, the flag of New South Wales is not enshrined and protected by any acts ofstateorCommonwealthgovernment. As a result, there are no official legal requirements for the construction of the flag of New South Wales.[citation needed]However, tradition and decorum dictate that:[citation needed]

  1. the Union Jack should occupy the upper quarter next the staff.
  2. the fly is to be wholly blue, in line with the British Blue Ensign.
  3. the State Badge is to be situated with its centre halfway between the edge of the canton and the end of the fly, and a third of the distance from the bottom of the flag.

Other flags[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Gullick,William Applegate,The New South Wales Coat of Arms,with notes on the earlier seals, Government Printer, Sydney 1907
  2. ^Gullick,William Applegate,The New South Wales Coat of Arms,with notes on the earlier seals, Government Printer, Sydney 1907
  3. ^abNew South Wales Government (2007)."New South Wales Flag".Flags and Emblems.Archived fromthe originalon 20 July 2008.Retrieved10 August2008.
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