
The national flag of Australia features a dark blue background with the Union Jack in the top left corner, symbolizing Australia's historical ties to the United Kingdom. On the right side of the flag is a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star, which has one point for each of Australia's six states and one for its territories. Beneath the Union Jack and the Commonwealth Star is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, which is an important symbol in Australian culture.
The flag was first flown in 1901, the same year that Australia became a federation of six states. The design of the flag was chosen through a national competition that attracted more than 30,000 entries. The flag is designed to represent Australia's British heritage, its geographical location in the Southern Hemisphere, and its cultural identity as a modern, diverse nation.
The blue background of the flag represents the ocean and the sky, while the Southern Cross symbolizes the country's position in the Southern Hemisphere. The Commonwealth Star and the representation of the Southern Cross are intended to highlight Australia's status as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 1:2.