Coat of arms of New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of New South Wales |
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State Badge of New South Wales
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| Armiger | Elizabeth II in Right of New South Wales |
| Adopted | 11 October 1906 |
| Crest | On a wreath of the colours a rising sun each ray tagged with a flame of fire proper |
| Torse | Argent and Azure |
| Blazon | Azure a cross argent voided gules charged in the centre chief point with a lion passant guardant, and on each member with a mullet of eight points or between in the first and fourth quarters a fleece or banded argent and in the second and third quarters a garb also or |
| Supporters | On the dexter side a lion rampant guardant and on the sinister side a kangaroo both or |
| Motto | Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites "Newly risen, how brightly you shine" |
The coat of arms of New South Wales is the official symbol of the Australian state of New South Wales. It was given by King Edward VII on October 11, 1906. This special symbol shows important parts of the state's history and values.
Contents
What the Coat of Arms Looks Like
The Shield
The main part of the coat of arms is the shield. It has a blue background. On it, there is a silver cross with a red cross inside it. On each arm of the red cross, you'll see a gold star. In the very middle of the cross, there is a gold lion. This lion is known as the 'Lion in the South'.
In the top left and bottom right sections of the shield, there is a golden fleece. This looks like a sheep's wool with a silver ribbon around it. In the other two sections (top right and bottom left), there is a golden bundle of wheat.
The Crest
Above the shield is the crest. It shows a rising sun with small flames on its rays. This sun sits on a twisted ribbon that is blue and silver.
The Supporters
On each side of the shield are the supporters. These are animals that hold the shield up. On the left side (from your view) is a golden lion. On the right side is a golden kangaroo. They usually stand on the ribbon where the motto is written.
The Motto
Below the shield, there is a ribbon with the motto. It is written in Latin: Orta recens quam pura nites. In English, this means "Newly risen, how brightly you shine".
What the Symbols Mean
Cross and Stars
The blue background and white cross come from early Australian symbols. They represent the Southern Cross, which is a group of stars you can see in the southern sky. Sailors used these stars to find their way. The red cross inside the white one stands for the St George's Cross, which is on the flag of Britain's Royal Navy. This part of the design shows how important the sea and navy were to New South Wales.
The Lion in the South
The gold lion in the middle of the cross is like the lions on the arms of England. It shows that New South Wales is a strong and independent state. It also reminds us of the people who first came to the Colony of New South Wales from older countries.
The Golden Fleece
The golden fleece has a few meanings. It shows the wealth that New South Wales got from its sheep farming, especially wool. It also connects to old stories of honor and knights, like the Order of the Golden Fleece. Plus, it reminds us that the first fine wool sheep in New South Wales came from a gift from the King of Spain.
The Wheat Sheaf
The bundle of wheat, called a garb, also has several meanings. It represents the rich farms and agriculture of New South Wales, especially wheat growing. It also reminds us of the early settlers, including those who were sent to Australia as convicts. Many of them worked hard to grow food and later received land grants, which helped build the farms and towns of New South Wales.
The Rising Sun
The rising sun in the crest has been a symbol for New South Wales since the 1820s. It stands for hope for the future. It also shows where New South Wales is located, facing the sun as it rises over the Pacific Ocean each morning. The blue and white ribbon under the sun are the main colors from the shield. These colors are often used for New South Wales sports teams.
The Supporters: Lion and Kangaroo
The lion on the left side represents the origins of many people in New South Wales from the British Isles. The designer wanted it to show how different people from Britain came together to form a new community. Today, it can also stand for the many different cultures that make up New South Wales society.
The kangaroo on the right side has been a popular symbol for New South Wales since 1806. It represents the land and natural resources of the state. Today, it can also be seen as a symbol for the Indigenous Australians, who are an important part of New South Wales society.
The Motto
The motto was first used in 1879 for a big exhibition in Sydney. It became the official state motto in 1906. It replaced an older motto that referred to the state's convict past. This new motto, "Newly risen, how brightly you shine," gives a positive message of hope for the future.
Who Designed It?
The Coat of Arms was designed by William Applegate Gullick. He was the NSW Government Printer. William Gullick came to the colony as a baby with his parents. His father worked in printing, and William learned the printing trade too. He became the Government Printer in 1896. He also helped design the Australian Coat of Arms.
Images for kids
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Embroidered coat of arms on display at Parliament House, Sydney.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Nueva Gales del Sur para niños
