The Armorial Ensigns of the Commonwealth of AustraliaFOREWORD ‘The grant of arms to individuals, organisations, towns, cities and states is a mark of the Royal Favour having a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Arms consist of ob- jects so arranged as to distinguish the possessor by their particular kind, order and association. The complex and stylised art of arrang- ing arms in systematic ways to ex- press identity is known as heraldry and can be traced back to the carly Crusades. Heraldry became firmly established in Britain under the Plantagenet Kings. The shield is the central feature of a grant of arms. It contains certain distinguishing marks which have had a long and close association with heraldry. The shield persists as the central unit on which the various ingredients of arms are displayed. The term ‘coat of arms’ refers to the custom in the 11th to the 15th cen- turies of displaying the arms also on a tunic or coat worn over armour. The crest, placed originally on the helmet of a knight to identify him in battle, was attached beneath a wreath originally of twisted silk in two colours. These colours have since been regarded as the livery col- ours of the arms. Both the crest and the supporters are accessories to the arms. © Conmonveain of auarala 1540 isenoazarne Published forthe Department of Administrative Services by the Ausallan Goverament Publishing Service, Canberrs 1980 Pte iy Ruska Press It is proper that an authority per- forming the duties of government should beat the dignities and tradi- tional rights of its office; not the least of these is the right to bear symbols of its honour and author~ ity. A coat or arms is granted and assigned for 2 nation according to the Laws of Arms and serves as a sign of its identity, The Com- monwealth Coat of Arms fulfils these tradit:onal purposes and is an emblem signifying the national unity of Australia. Inquiries should be directed to: The Secretary Department of Administrative Services Canberra, A.C.T, 2600CONTENTS: 1. History of the Coat of Arms 4 Reproduction of 1908 Arms 4 Reproduction of 1912 Arms 5 2. Significance of the Coat of Arms 6 3. Description of the Coat of Arms 7 4. Uses of the Coat of Arms 8 5. Glossary of Words used in the Royal Warrant 10 6. Royal Warrant u1, History of the Coat of Arms The first official grant of a Coat of Arms to the Commonwealth of Australia was made by King Edward VII in a Royal Warrant dated 7 May 1908. These arms, although superseded by those granted by King George V in a Royal Warrant dated 19 September 1912, continued to be used on some Australian coins until 1966. The 1908 Arms The first Coat of Arms was compos- ed of a simple shield of white and blue enclosing a cross of Saint George upon which there were five six-pointed white stars, around the outside of which are six small escut- cheors, i.e. small shields. The shield was supported by two typical Australian fauna, the kangaroo and the emu, standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield was the 2 the seven-pointed gold star of Federation on a wreath of white (silver) and blue. The col- ours of red, white and blue were the basic theme «of the 1908 Arms.The motto ‘Advance Australia’ was in- scribed at the base. The assigning of the Arms ‘was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazeite No. 39 of 8 August 1908The 1912 Arms The absence of specific references to the States in the shield of the 1908 Arms led to a number of substantial alterations which were approved by the Commonwealth Government in February 1911. The new design in- corporated a shield with six parts or ‘quarters’, each containing the badge of a State. Amendments were also made to the positions and at- titudes of the supporters. The col- ours in the wreath of the crest were altered from white (silver) and blue to gold and blue. These are the ‘livery’ colours of the Arms. ‘The new Arms were accompanied by small branches of wattle, or- namental rests for the supporters and a scroll with the word ‘Australia’.2, Signifieanee of the Coat of Arms The design of the 1912 Coat of Arms is of special significance, and each element, for example the col- ours, crest, wreath and border, has a special significance. ‘The Coat of Arms consists of a shield composed of ‘quarters’ representing the six States of the Commonwealth enclosed by an er- mine border. The quarters provide a place for each of the States on the shield, Devices representing the six States are arranged in two rows on the shield. From left to right in the top row are the devices of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland (Quarters 1, 2 and 3) and in the bottom row are the devices of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania (Quarters 4, 5 and 6). The ermine border signifies the federation of the States into the Commonwealth ‘The Crest of the Arms is a seven- pointed gold star symbolic of na- tional unity on a gold and blue wreath, which is a traditional cle- ‘ment represented asa twisted ribbon or Torse of the two alternate colours gold and blue. A star of six points was originally chosen to represent the six States but a seventh point was added to represent the tet- ritories of the Commonwealth before the design was finalised. This seven-point2d star is also used on the Australian National Flag and is termed the Commonwealth Star. ‘The supporters, the kangaroo and the emu, are two typical Australian creatures which were also included in the 1908 Arms. Both are in- digenous 0 Australia and are regarded a} suitable for heraldry, design and reproduction uses. Each in tum has appeared at_ various times on postage stamps. Although the Royal Warrant did not indicate a species of kangaroo, that depicted on the original painting is un- doubtedly the Red Kangaroo (Megalcia rufa) which is the widest distributed species on the continent The emu (Dromaius novae- hhoflandiae) and the kangaroo, as typical Australian fauna, further identify the Arms as being exclusive- ly Australian. Usually the Arms are depicted with branches of wattle tied with Hbbon, emblematic of Australia, and with 2 scroll having the word ‘Australia’ at the base. However, the wattle, the scroll and the brackets upon which the supporters rest do not constitute part of the complete Armorial Achievement and are no: mentioned in the Royal Warrant.3. Description of the Coat of Arms The Blazon Blazoning is the art of describing in words a coat of arms in heraldic terms so that it can be reproduced accurately in any part of the world. It allows for artistic licence in the way an heraldic painter illustrates the items described. The broad meaning of the blazon, or official description of the Arms (see Royal Warrant ‘on page 11), is as follows: First Quarter (representing New South Wales) Background silver, featuring the Cross of St George containing an heraldic gold lion, walking to the wearer’s right (viewer's left), three paws on the ground, the right forepaw being raised, the head turned so as to face the spectator and the tail curved over the back, and on each arm of the cross an eight-pointed gold star. Second Quarter (representing Victoria) Background blue, containing five stars, one of eight points, two of seven points, one of six points and one of five points (the con- stellation of the Southern Cross) with an Imperial Crown in nor- mal colours placed above the first star, Third Quarter (representing Queensland) Background silver, containing a blue Maltese Cross surmounted by an Imperial Crown in normal colours. Fourth Quarter (representing South Australia) Background gold, containing an Australian Piping Shrike perch- ed on a twisted band of green and red (the bird has its back to the viewer) Fifth Quarter (representing Western Australia) Background gold featuring a black swan swimming to the wearer’s left (viewer's right). Sixth Quarter (representing Tasmania) Background silver, featuring a red lion walking to the wearer's right (viewer's left) three paws on the ground, the right forepaw being raised, the head looking forward and the tail curved over the back. ¢ | ESD4, Uses of the Coat of Arms ‘The Arms have been assigned to the Commonwealth by Royal Warrant of 19 September 1912, intcr alia, ‘to be borne and used’ upon seals, shields, banners or otherwise at cording to the laws of arms...” The Coat of Arms is used by the Commonwealth to identify its authority in the carrying out of its official functions, e.g. by the Pa ‘ment, on government buildings and property, on departmental and authority letterheads, on legal tender, official publications, documents and certificates. The Arms belong to the Commonwealth and, in general, are for official use only. Use of the Arms by private persons and organisations is seldom permit- ted since it is contrary to their essen- tial meaning, may constitute a pos ble debasement of the Arms and may give rise to indiscriminate use. The association of the Arms with a trade, business, calling or profes sion is not normally permitted. Sporting and competitive represen- tatives sponsored by their national controlling body may receive per~ mission to wear the Coat of Arms fon the pockets of their blazers or cather suitable jackets appropriatcly defaced with the name and date of the event when competing in inter- national or inter-Commonwealth evenis. Private persons and organ- tions may display the Arms as a decorative feature on particular na- tional oceasio’s, €-8. Coronations, Royal Visits, Jubilee celebrations, provided it '$ not a permanent feature. Use of the Arms may be permitted on permanent souvenirs of a particular event, e.g. the Royal Visit of 1977. Publishers of en- cyclopaedia and reference, educa~ tional and heraldry books may be granted permission in certain cit- cumstances, Tn no circumstances should the Coat of Arms be used by private persons and organisations without prior approval of the appropriate ‘Commonwealth authorities ‘The Arms must always be reproduc- ed correctly and where possible in colour. However, if colour is not appropriate the’ Arms may be reproduced in stylised form as a line drawing, e.g. in black and white, silver, gold or as a mould or bas- relief. A number of officially ap- proved variations of the Arms are shown in the Commonwealth Style Manual (3rd edition, 1978), and some of these are reproduced op- posite Applications for permission to use or reproduce the Arms should be forwarded to the Secretary, Department of Administrative Ser- vices, East Block, Canberra, A.C.T. of the Style Manual may be obtained from Australian Govern- ment Publishing Service Book- shops.Conventional Arms No. 1 (Outline) Conventional Arras a STRALIA ,i- SSS ed Nee ee SEEK Stylised Arms No. | (Outline) Ay, AUSTRALIA SSS Stylised Arms ield, open supporters)5. Glossary of words used in the Royal Warrant Crest A device displayed usually upon a helmet or wreath Wreath A twisted band or ribbon of two or more alternate colours on which the crest usually rests. Supporters Figures which flank and support the shield. These are always either humans, fish or animals or mythical beasts. Charge Any object or figure comprising part of an armorial design such as in a shield of arms or within an ap- proved design. The shield in which the charge is placed is said to be ‘charged’. Heraldic Tinetures or — gold argent — silver gules — red ‘azure — blue vert — green sable — black ermine — fur (white with ermine tails) Heraldic Terms passant — a lion in heraldry walk- ing, with three paws on the ground, the right forepaw raised, the head looking forward and the tail curved over the biack guardant — a lion in heraldry, with head turned so as to face the observer mullet — a star-shaped figure with straight rays najant — swimming proper ~ colours dexter — the wearer's right-hand side of the shield (viewer’s left) sinister — the wearer's left-hand side of the shield (viewer’s right) bordure-— border in its natural or usual6. Royal Warrant granting the Armorial Bearings of the Commonwealth of Australia GEORGE R.I. GEORGE THE FIFTH, by the Grace of God of the United’ Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor o” India: To Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor, Henry, Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Our Hereditary Marshal of England, Knight of Our Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of Our Royal Victorian Order, Greetings: WHEREAS His late Majesty King Edward the Seventh was graciously pleased by Warrant under His Royal Sign Manual bearing date the Seventh day of May One thousand nine hundred and eight to assign certain Armorial Ensigns and Supporters for the Commonwealth of Australia: And forasmuch as it is Our Royal Will and Pleasure that certain other Ar- morial Ensigns should be assigned to the said Commonwealth of Australia in liew and instead of those thus previously granted and assigned: NOW KNOW YE that We of Our Princely Grac: and Special Favour have granted and assigned and do by these presents grant and assign for the Commonwealth of Australia the Armorial Ensigns following, that is to say: “Quarterly of six, the first quarter Argent a Cross Gules charged with a Lio passant guardant between on each limb a Mullet of eight points Or; the second, Azure five Mullets, one of eight, two of seven, one of six and one of five points of the first (representing the Constellation of the Southern Cross) ensigned with an Imperial Crown proper; the third of the first, a Maltese Cross of the fourth, surmounted by a like Imperial Crown; the fourth of the third, on a Perch wreathed Vert and Gules an Australian Piping Shrike displayed also proper; the fifth also Or a Swan naiant to the sinister Sable; the last of the first, a Lion passant of the second, the whole within a Bordure Ermine’; for the Crest On a Wreath Or and Azure ‘A Seven pointed Star Or’, and for Supporters “dexter A Kangaroo, sinister An Emu, both proper’ as the same are in the painting hereunto annexed ‘more plainly depicted, in lieu and instead of the Arms previously assigned to be borne and used by the said Commonwealth upon Seals, Shields, Banners or other- wise according to the Laws of Arms. Our Will and Pleasure therefore:is that you Henry, Duke of Norfolk, to whom the cognizance of matters of this nature doth properly belong do requite and command that this Our Concession and Declaration be recorded in Our College of Arms in order that Our Officers of Arms and all other Public Functionaries whom it may concern may take full notice and have knowledge thereof in their several aiid respective departments. And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. GIVEN at Our Court at St James’s this Nineteenth day of September 1912 in the Third Year of Our Re-en. By His Majesty’s Command L. Harcourt Extracted from the Records of the College of Arms, London (Sad) Anthony R. Wagner Garter King of Arms ut