Coat of arms of Victoria (Australia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of Victoria |
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State Badge of Victoria
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| Armiger | Charles III in Right of Victoria |
| Adopted | 6 June 1910 28 March 1973 (final version) |
| Crest | Demi-Kangaroo proper, the Crown of St. Edward in its paws (formerly the Tudor Crown) |
| Torse | Silver and Blue |
| Blazon | Azure, five stars representing Southern Cross Argent |
| Supporters | Two Female Figures representing Peace and Prosperity |
| Compartment | Grassy mound with Pink Heath |
| Motto | Peace and Prosperity |
The Coat of Arms of Victoria is the official symbol of the Australian state of Victoria. It's like a special badge that represents the state. Victoria was the second state in Australia to get its own coat of arms.
This symbol was first given on June 6, 1910, by King George V. The state itself was named in 1851 after his grandmother, Queen Victoria. The design you see today was made final on March 28, 1973, by Queen Elizabeth II.
Contents
What Does the Victorian Coat of Arms Look Like?
The Coat of Arms of Victoria has many interesting parts. Each part has a special meaning. Let's explore what each piece represents.
The Shield: Southern Cross
The main part of the coat of arms is the shield. It has a blue background. On this blue shield, there are five silver stars. These stars are arranged to show the Southern Cross constellation. This is a famous group of stars you can only see in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Helmet and Mantling
Above the shield, there is a helmet. It faces to the left. This type of helmet was used by knights a long time ago. Around the helmet, there's a decorative cloth called a mantling. It's blue and silver, matching the colors of the shield.
The Crest: Kangaroo with a Crown
On top of the helmet, there's a special symbol called the crest. It's a kangaroo holding a crown. The kangaroo holds the St Edward’s Crown. This crown is a symbol of royal power. The kangaroo and helmet both face the left side of the shield. The colors used here are blue and silver, which are Victoria's official colors.
The Supporters: Peace and Prosperity
On either side of the shield, there are two figures called supporters. They hold up the shield. Unlike other Australian states that use animals, Victoria's supporters are human figures.
- The figure on the left represents 'Peace'. She wears a silver dress and holds an olive branch.
- The figure on the right represents 'Prosperity'. She wears a silver dress and holds a cornucopia. A cornucopia is a horn overflowing with fruits and flowers, symbolizing plenty.
The Motto: Peace and Prosperity
Below the shield, there's a banner with the words Peace and Prosperity. This motto is directly linked to the two figures supporting the shield. It's also the first motto among Australian coats of arms to be written in English.
The Compartment: Pink Heath
The shield and supporters stand on a grassy mound. On this mound, you can see the pink form of the Common Heath flower. This flower is Victoria's official floral emblem.
What Do the Symbols Mean?
Every part of the Coat of Arms tells a story about Victoria. These symbols have deep historical and cultural meanings.
Southern Cross: A Symbol of Australia
The Southern Cross is one of Australia's oldest symbols. It has been used to represent Australia since 1823. You can even see it on the Australian national flag. This group of five stars can only be seen in the southern part of the world. It helps unite Australians under the same sky.
Olive Branch: Symbol of Peace
The olive branch held by the 'Peace' figure comes from ancient Greek customs. It has always been a symbol of peace. So, the figure holding it truly represents peace for the state.
Cornucopia: Symbol of Prosperity
The cornucopia is a symbol of plenty and good fortune. In ancient Greek stories, it was a horn that never ran out of food. The 'Prosperity' figure holding it shows that Victoria wishes for wealth and success for its people.
Pink Heath: Victoria's Floral Emblem
The pink heath flower was chosen as Victoria's official floral emblem in 1958. This decision showed how much people wanted to include local nature in their state symbols. It represents the natural beauty of Victoria.
Colors of the Coat of Arms
The colors used in the Coat of Arms are also important. They match the colors of the Victorian State tartan. A tartan is a special pattern of colors, often used to represent a group or family.
- Blue represents the shield.
- White represents the stars of the Southern Cross.
- Green represents the olive branch.
- Pink represents the pink heath flower.
These colors together symbolize the unity of Victoria.
How the Coat of Arms Changed Over Time
The idea for Victoria's Coat of Arms began in late 1909. The Victorian Government wanted to include elements from its State Badge, which had been used since 1877. These elements included the Southern Cross and an Imperial Crown.
On June 6, 1910, King George V officially granted Victoria its first Coat of Arms. This version was used until 1973.
Over the years, the Coat of Arms was updated. The first version didn't have the pink heath flower. After the pink heath became Victoria's floral emblem in 1958, people wanted it added to the Coat of Arms.
So, on March 28, 1973, Queen Elizabeth II issued a new royal warrant. This added the pink heath and a grassy mound to the design. It also changed the crown held by the kangaroo from the old Tudor Crown to the St Edward’s Crown. This change reflected the current monarch's royal authority.
Rules for Using the Coat of Arms
The Victorian Coat of Arms is a very important symbol. It shows the authority of the Victorian Government. Because it's so important, there are strict rules about how it can be used.
You cannot use the Coat of Arms without special permission. It's not allowed for commercial use or advertising. Victoria is the only state with specific laws to protect its Coat of Arms. If someone uses it without permission, they can face penalties.
If you need to use the Coat of Arms, you must send a formal request in writing. This request goes to the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Victoria (Australia) para niños
