The Australian flag is made up of three distinct symbols, each representing part of the country and its history. The symbols of the Union Jack, Federation Star and Southern Cross are flown on a blue background, known as the blue ensign.

The Australian flag is often confused with that of other countries, particularly New Zealand. How the historical similarities and location of the countries have been incorporated into their flags, accounts for much of this confusion.

The most obvious feature of the Australian flag is the Union Jack. The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom and is made of the combination of the flags of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Its position in the upper left-hand corner represents a position of honor.

Flags with the Union Jack in the upper left, and other signs or emblems on the remainder of the flag, are known as a ‘defaced Union Jacks’. British colonies all originally used either the Union Jack or a defacement flag. As a British penal colony, Australia used the Union Jack, and adopted the current blue ensign defaced flag after federation in 1901.

Many countries dropped the Union Jack or developed entirely new designs for their flags after achieving sovereignty. Australia retains its flag out of reverence, though the quest for a new flag is gaining favor.

Occupying the position under the Union Jack, is the Federation Star. The Federation Star has seven points. Six of these points represent the Australian States - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

The remaining point represents Australia’s Territories, of which Australia has several. The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory are mainland territories which are commonly treated as states.

On the fly of the Australian Flag (the area farthest from the mast) is the emblem of the Southern Cross. The Southern Cross constellation is a pattern of stars which form a cross in the southern part of the night sky. The Southern Cross is the best known constellation in the Southern Hemisphere as it is both easy to recognize and can be used to locate celestial south.

The Southern Cross also has significance to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, and is featured in their Dreaming Stories. The Southern Cross is represented on the Australian flag as an upright cross made with four, 7- pointed stars and one 5- pointed star below the right arm of the cross.

The background color of the Australian flag is a deep blue. This is known as ‘blue ensign’. Both blue and red ensigns have been used as the Australian flag. The red ensign is now used as the merchant shipping flag, the white ensign is used as the Navel ensign.