Civic Flag of the Australian Capital Territory (1993)

The Australian Capital Territory is the home of the national capital of Australia, Canberra. 

The City of Canberra is based on a design submitted by American architect, Walter Burley Griffin, as a result of an Australian Government sponsored international competition.

The Territory’s Legislative Assembly adopted the current Australian Capital Territory flag on the 25th of March 1993.

The Symbolic Meaning

Blue and gold are the City of Canberra’s colours.

The five stars at the hoist of the flag symbolise the constellation the Southern Cross, representing the stars Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta each with seven points and Epsilon with five points because it doesn't shine as brightly as the other stars in the constellation.

The Southern Cross a prominent constellation seen from the southern hemisphere. It denotes the Australian Capital Territory's geographical position in the world and is included on the national flag and other state and territory flags. 

Featured in the fly half of the flag is the Coat of Arms of Canberra, granted to the city by Royal Warrant, on the 8th of October 1928.

The shield of the arms displays a three-towered castle, the mace of the Australian Parliament, the sword of justice, the crown of St Edward and the Rose of York. 

The castle’s towers denote the dignity, grandeur and importance of the city of Canberra as the nation’s capital. 

The mace represents the law making power and the sword of justice represents the national authority of Canberra. 

The crown connotes the role of the sovereign in Australia and the rose is the Rose of York, which acknowledges the contribution of the Duke of York, later to become King George VI, in officiating at the opening the Australian Parliament, in Canberra. 

Supporting the shield are two swans, one blue (which is black on the official arms) and the other white, representing Aboriginal and European Australians.

Above the shield is a crowned portcullis or gate, which connotes Canberra’s association to Westminster, the British seat of government. Behind the gate is a gum tree, symbolising Canberra’s growth and development.