Australia flag
The national flag of Australia is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2 to 1. The background of the banner is blue. It depicts six stars, five of which are located in the constellation of the Southern Cross, and the sixth is located on the left under the flag of Great Britain. The largest star is seven-pointed, where six stellar rays are the number of colonies, of which there are six, and the seventh is the outer territories. The blue background of the flag symbolizes the ocean. The British flag pays tribute to history when Australia was a British colony.
The Australian flag was adopted in 1901, but the final form was received in 1903. The design of the flag was selected from competition entries. However, later the flag was slightly modified. The appearance of the current flag appeared in 1934, but was finally approved in 1954 and became «the national flag of Australia».
Each star on the flag of Australia has its own meaning: five of them are seven-pointed stars - the Commonwealth star, Acrux, Becrux, Gacrux, Decrux, and the sixth is the five-pointed star - the Epsilon Southern Cross star. Before the advent of the Australian flag on the mainland, the British Union Jack flag was used. There was also a variant of the flag with a red background. It was the red flag that was used on sea merchant ships..
In 1953, the rules for the use of the Australian flag were established. It can be installed at a height higher than other flags. The flag must be used on every government building during elections and referendums. Private ships can use both blue and red flags.
The lowering of the flag by 1/3 of the length of the flagpole occurs in the event of the death of the monarch or members of the royal family, the governor-general, on the day of Anznak, on the day of remembrance of those killed in the First and Second World War.
It is unacceptable to use the flag in advertising without special permission. In the case of its use, the flag must be presented in a dignified manner, depicted only in the original without extraneous drawings and inscriptions.
In 1996, Australia's National Flag Day was established. The initiative was taken by William Dean. But the flag day began to be celebrated back in 1985 in Sydney. This day is not a day off, but in some cities of the country different events are held.
Due to the increase in the number of Republicans in Australia, the image of the British flag began to be heavily criticized. Therefore, there are serious disputes about changing the flag of Australia today..
