National Flag of Australia

The Australian flag is composed of three parts:

• The Union Jack (British flag) in the top left corner --- showing the first colonization by Europeans was by Britain.

• The 'Star of Federation' in the bottom left corner --- a seven pointed star by giving each state (six in all) a point on the star, and having one more point for Australia's territories (of which there are several). There are two mainland territories, and several overseas, including two in Antarctica.

• The Southern Cross, taking up the right half of the flag --- a constellation that can be seen from all of Australia's states and territories (The Southern Cross is the cross of St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland since A.D. 750.)

(Comparison with New Zealand flag: the two crosses on the right are different. That of New Zealand has one less star, and all the stars have 5 points and in red rather than white)  

(New Zealand flag)