Commonwealth Star

The Commonwealth Star (also known as the Federation Star, the Seven Point Star, or the Star of Federation) is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901.

Six points of the Star represent the six original states of the Commonwealth of Australia, while the seventh point represents the territories and any other future states of Australia. The original star had only six points; however, the proclamation in 1905 of the Territory of Papua led to the addition of the seventh point in 1909 to represent it and future territories.

The Commonwealth Star is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Australian flag, as opposed to the otherwise similar flag of New Zealand.

Official name

Although the term "Federation Star" is frequently used, the term "Commonwealth Star" is the official name. This is because that was the name ascribed to the star by the Australian Government when the Australian flag was adopted and such adoption was gazetted in the official Government gazette.

Usage

The Commonwealth Star is found on both the flag of Australia and the Coat of Arms of Australia. On the Australian flag the Star appears in the lower hoist quarter, beneath the representation of the Union flag, and as four of the five stars making up the Southern Cross on the fly. In the Coat of Arms, the Star forms the crest, atop a blue and gold wreath.

The Star also appears on the badges of the Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police, although the badges of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force feature the St Edward's Crown, as in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. In the event of the country becoming a republic, it has been suggested that the Commonwealth Star replace the Crown.New Name for the Republic: 'Commonwealth of Australia'
Speech by the Hon. Peter Collins, QC, MLA, 27 January 1997

The Star is also used on numerous Australian medals, including the National Police Service Medal, the Defence Force Service Medal, the civilian Star of Courage, the Public Service Medal, the Ambulance Service Medal and the Australian Police Medal.

With the marriage of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark to Mary Donaldson (now the Crown Princess Mary) in 2004, Princess Mary was honoured with the Order of the Elephant. The chief field of the Crown Princess' coat of arms shows two gold Commonwealth Stars from the Coat of arms of Australia.

Gallery

Image:Flag of Australia (converted).svg, Flag of Australia
Image:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg, Australian Coat of Arms (adopted 1912)
Image:Coat of arms of Australia (1908–1912).svg, 1908 Coat of Arms
Image:Royal Standard of Australia (1962–2022).svg, Queen's Personal Australian Flag (used between 1962–2022)
Image:Flag of the Governor-General of Australia (1908–1936).svg, Flag of the governor-general of Australia (used between 1908–1936)
Image:DFSM with Fed Star.png, Ribbon for Defence Force Service Medal with Federation Star (5th clasp)
Image:Australian 1951 sixpence.jpg, Australian 1951 six pence coin
Image:1966 australian 50 cent piece circular.jpg, 1966 Australian 50 cent coin (round)
Image:Australian pre decimal coins penny shilling.jpg, Coins of the Australian pound
Image:Penny hapenny.jpg, Halfpenny (Australian) and Penny (Australian)

See also

* Southern Cross
* Southern Horizon

References

{{Reflist

National symbols of Australia
Star symbols
Heraldic charges
Symbols introduced in 1901
1901 in Australia