Coat of arms of Victoria (state) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of Victoria |
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State badge of Victoria
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| Adopted | 6 June 1910 28 March 1973 (current version) |
| Crest | Demi-kangaroo proper, the Crown of St. Edward in its paws (formerly the Tudor Crown) |
| Torse | Argent and azure |
| Blazon | Azure, five stars representing the 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 a special symbol for the Australian state of Victoria. It's like an official badge that tells a story about the state. Victoria was one of the first Australian states to get its own coat of arms. This happened on June 6, 1910, when King George V officially approved it. The state itself was named in 1851 after his grandmother, Queen Victoria. The version we see today was approved later, on March 28, 1973, by Queen Elizabeth II.
Contents
What Each Part Means
The Shield and Stars
The main part of the coat of arms is the shield. It has a blue background. On this blue background, there are five silver stars. These stars are arranged to show the Crux Australis, which is also known as the Southern Cross. This famous group of stars can only be seen in the southern part of the world.
The Helmet and Mantling
Above the shield, you'll see a helmet. This helmet faces to the left. It's a type of helmet that knights used to wear a long time ago. Around the helmet, there's a flowing cloth called a mantling. This cloth is blue and silver, matching the colors of the shield.
The Kangaroo Crest
On top of the helmet is the crest. This crest features a kangaroo, which is a famous Australian animal. The kangaroo is holding St Edward's Crown in its paws. The crown is a symbol of royalty. The kangaroo stands on a twisted band of blue and silver, which are Victoria's official colors.
The Supporters: Peace and Prosperity
On each side of the shield, there are two figures. These figures are called "supporters" because they look like they are holding up the shield. Unlike other Australian states that often have animals as supporters, Victoria has human figures.
- The figure on the left represents "Peace." She wears a crown of laurel leaves and holds an olive branch.
- The figure on the right represents "Prosperity." She wears a crown made of corn and holds a cornucopia, which is a horn overflowing with fruits and vegetables. This symbolizes plenty and good fortune.
The Motto
Below the shield, you'll find the motto: "Peace and Prosperity." This motto perfectly matches the two figures supporting the shield. It was the first motto among Australian coats of arms to be written in English.
The Grassy Base and Pink Heath
The entire coat of arms rests on a grassy mound. On this mound, you can see the pink heath flower. This beautiful flower is the official floral emblem of Victoria.
The Story Behind the Symbols
The Southern Cross Stars
The Southern Cross is a very old and important symbol for Australia. It has been used to represent the country since 1823. You can even see it on the Australian national flag. One of the flag's designers, Ivor William Evans, thought the five stars could represent important values like wisdom, balance, fairness, and strength. Since these stars are only visible in the Southern Hemisphere, they connect all Australians under the same sky.
The Olive Branch for Peace
The olive branch, held by the figure representing Peace, is a very old symbol. It comes from ancient Greece and has always meant peace. So, the figure holding it clearly shows the idea of "Peace."
The Cornucopia for Prosperity
The cornucopia is a symbol of abundance and good things. It looks like a goat's horn overflowing with food. In ancient Greek stories, it represented the rich gifts given to the god Zeus when he was a baby. The figure holding it represents "Prosperity," meaning wealth and success.
The Pink Heath Flower
The pink heath flower was chosen as Victoria's official floral emblem in 1951. It was officially announced by Governor Dallas Brooks on November 12, 1958. This flower helps represent the natural beauty and unique plants of Victoria.
Victoria's State Colors and Tartan
The colors used in Victoria's coat of arms are also found in the Victorian State tartan. A tartan is a special patterned cloth, often linked to families or regions. The Victorian State tartan was designed in 1998 by Betty Johnson. Its colors—blue, white, green, and pink—each represent a part of the coat of arms:
- Blue stands for the shield.
- White represents the stars of the Southern Cross.
- Green symbolizes the olive branch.
- Pink represents the pink heath flower.
Together, these colors proudly represent Victoria.
How the Coat of Arms Changed Over Time
Early Design and Approval
The idea for Victoria to have its own coat of arms started in late 1909. This was after Australia got its national coat of arms in 1908. The Victorian Government wanted to include parts of its state badge, which had been used since 1877. These parts included the Southern Cross and a royal crown. The design was approved by John Murray, who was the Premier of Victoria at the time, by February 1910.
On June 6, 1910, King George V officially granted Victoria its first coat of arms. This design was used as Victoria's symbol until 1973.
Adding the Pink Heath
The first coat of arms didn't have the grassy base or the pink heath flower. But in 1958, the pink heath became Victoria's official floral emblem. People then wanted this special flower to be part of the coat of arms.
So, on March 28, 1973, Queen Elizabeth II issued a new official document. This document added the pink heath and the grassy mound to the coat of arms. This gave the supporters and the flower a base to stand on. Most of the design stayed the same, but these additions made it even more unique to Victoria.
The Changing Crown
Over the years, the crown held by the kangaroo changed slightly. This depended on which monarch was ruling. Before Queen Elizabeth II became queen in 1953, the Tudor Crown was commonly used in royal symbols. However, Queen Elizabeth II preferred the St Edward's Crown. So, in 1974, the crown on Victoria's coat of arms was updated to show the St Edward's Crown.
Protecting Victoria's Official Symbol
The coat of arms is Victoria's most important official symbol. It represents the Victorian Government and its agencies.
It's very important that this symbol is used correctly. You can't use the coat of arms without official permission. There are rules about how it can be shown and copied. For example, it's not allowed to be used for commercial advertising. Victoria is the only state in Australia that has specific laws to protect its coat of arms. This means that if someone uses it without permission, they can face legal action under the Unauthorised Documents Act 1958.
If someone needs to use the coat of arms for an official reason, they must send a formal request. This request goes to the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Victoria (Australia) para niños
- Australian heraldry
