Understanding the Australian Flag and Its Stripes

The national flag of Australia is one of the most recognizable and distinct flags in the world. It features a unique design with the Union Flag in the canton and five white stars in the lower quarters. However, a common misconception is that the Australian flag itself has stripes. To clarify this, this article will delve into the history of such designs and the actual flags that might have stripes in Australia.

The Myth of the Striped Australian Flag

The only design for the Australian flag that could truly be considered to have stripes was proposed in a national flag design competition held by the Melbourne Evening Herald in 1900. This design, which never became the official flag, featured a combination of the Union Flag, the Southern Cross, and American-style stripes.

Competition and Design

The 1900 competition required the winning design to include the Union Flag and the Southern Cross. The winning submission by a Mr. Burnicial Snr., Kermedic, was a hodgepodge of elements, adding American-style horizontal stripes to the Union Flag and the Southern Cross. Specifically, the six red stripes symbolized the six states of the future Commonwealth of Australia.

Next Steps and Development

Following this competition, the next year saw another national flag design contest which moved away from the stripes in favor of a more unified design featuring a six-pointed star. This second design was adopted and flew over the Melbourne Exhibition Building at the time of Federation in 1901. Gradually, this was modified over the next few years to reach its final form in 1908. This version, which we recognize today as the Australian national flag, is now 115 years old.

The Australian National Flag Today

The current flag has no stripes and remains unchanged from its final form in 1908. Here is an image of the flag flying over the First Fleet Memorial Garden in Wallabadah, New South Wales:

Other Striped Flags in Australia

While the official Australian flag does not have stripes, there are other flags within Australia that do feature horizontal or vertical stripes:

Norfolk Island Flag

The flag of Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia, includes horizontal stripes. The flag comprises two green vertical bars separated by a white vertical bar, emblazoned with a green Norfolk Pine tree. This design stands as a distinct representation of the island and is a notable example of a flag with stripes in the region.

Aboriginal Peoples Flag

The Aboriginal Peoples flag also includes stripes, which are horizontal in nature. It features a black horizontal stripe above a red horizontal stripe, with a gold disc in the center. These stripes are used to represent various aspects of Aboriginal culture and history, such as the dreamtime.

Conclusion

While the Australian national flag itself does not feature stripes, similar flag designs with stripes exist within Australia, such as the Norfolk Island flag and the Aboriginal Peoples flag. Understanding the history and context of these flag designs can provide valuable insights into the cultural and historical significance of flags within the region.