Flag of New South Wales

The current state flag of New South Wales was officially adopted in 1876. The flag is based on the defaced British Blue Ensign with the state badge located in the fly. The badge, based on the coat of arms, is a white disc with the cross of St George, a golden lion passant guardant in the centre of the cross and an eight-pointed gold star on each arm of the cross.

Symbolism
As a variant of the Blue Ensign, the Union Jack is displayed in the canton. The St George's Cross, the Southern Cross and the 'Lion in the South' are displayed in the Badge of New South Wales on the flag. The St George's Cross is used on the ensign of the British Royal Navy, with a golden, 8-pointed star placed on each arm of the cross. This symbolises the maritime origins of New South Wales, with seafarers relying upon the Southern Cross to navigate the seas, and the role of the navy in protecting the State.

The 'Lion in the South' is taken from the three golden lions on a red field on the arms of England, and symbolises both the sovereignty of New South Wales and the offspring of an old country. It represent the origins of the founders of the Colony of New South Wales as well as the independence of their succeeding generations.

History
The first flag of New South Wales was adopted in 1867. It too was a defaced British Blue Ensign with the letters "NSW" in white located in the fly. The flag was a response to the passing of the British Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865 which allowed any British colony its own warships and variant of the Blue Ensign.

New South Wales then adopted a second flag in 1870 and it was almost identical to that of Victoria (with gold stars; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 points). This flag was also a defaced British Blue Ensign with the "Governor's Badge" located in the fly. The badge was the Southern Cross and an imperial crown situated above the Southern Cross. The difference between this flag and that of the Victorian flag was that the stars were gold and ranged from five to nine points with each star having one point pointing to the bottom of the flag.

The present flag was adopted due to criticisms from the British Admiralty that the previous design was too similar to the design of the Victorian flag.

The state badge was designed by the Colonial Architect James Barnet and Captain Francis Hixson, a retired Royal Navy officer.

Construction
Unlike the national flag, the flag of New South Wales is not enshrined and protected by any acts of state or Commonwealth government. As a result, there are no official legal requirements for the construction of the flag of New South Wales. However, tradition and decorum dictate that:


 * 1) the Union Jack should occupy the upper quarter next the staff.
 * 2) the fly is to be wholly blue, in line with the British Blue Ensign.
 * 3) the State Badge is to be situated with its centre halfway between the edge of the canton and the end of the fly, and a third of the distance from the bottom of the flag.