What do the stars on the australian and new zealand flag mean?

Question

Just wondering...

Answer 1

Hello Peachy

The prior answers are correct to the extent that the stars on the New Zealand flag and the majority of those on the Australian flag represent the Southern Cross. However, if you are observant you will be left wondering why (if this is the case) are there only four stars on the New Zealand flag and yet there are six stars on the Australian flag.

In the depiction of the the 'Southern Cross' itself (i.e. the stars to the right of the union jack), Australia depicts the 5 stars that are recognized as the brightest. In fact the majority of countries/states/regions that include the southern cross on their flag include 5 stars (e.g. Brazil, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea). New Zealand only depicts those stars (four) that indicate the points of the cross, leaving out the smaller fifth star which is outside that alignment.

The large star on the Australian flag below the union jack is the Commonwealth Star or Star of Federation. It has seven points to denote the six states and the combined territories of the Commonwealth.

Answer 2

The background of the flag is the Blue Ensign, originally from the United Kingdom of which Australia was a Dominion State. The large white seven-pointed star is known as the Commonwealth Star and is in the lower hoist quarter. The flag also contains a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars – one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars.

Answer 3

The stars represent the Southern Cross constellation

If you live in the Southern hemisphere, or if you are vacationing in someplace like Hawaii, you can see a small but beautiful constellation with the shape of a cross. Its name is Crux and it is located very close to the constellation of Centaurus.
The brightest star in Crux is called Acrux. Acrux is really two stars going around (orbitting!) each other, but they are so far away that we see them as one star.

Explorers of the Southern hemisphere used Crux to guide them when sailing. By looking at Crux, they could figure out in which direction to sail without getting lost.

Answer 4

The stars on the two flags are the constellation called the Southern Cross. This constellation can only be seen when you are south of the equator. That's why these two (very) southern countries took it as their symbol.