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City of Brisbane (Queensland, Australia)

by Arnaud Leroy, 16 April 2001

Description of the Flag
Coat of Arms

See also:

Description of the Flag

Brisbane is the capital city of the state of Queensland, situated on the Brisbane River on the south-east coast of the state. Brisbane City Council covers the whole of the metropolitan area, unlike, for example, the case of Sydney City Council, which only occupies the CBD and adjoining suburbs. The flag of the City of Brisbane features six quarters, ('segments' according to a brochure from the Brisbane City Council) in two rows of three, all surrounded by a border of blue and gold, the city's colours. The upper hoist segment contains a gold caduceus (a herald's wand with two serpents twined around it) superimposed overwhite wavy lines on a blue background. The next segment contains a Stafford knot, a white star and a Stafford knot vertically on a blue background. The remaining segments alternate between these two designs.
Jonathan Dixon, 16 April 2002

The flag of Brisbane is based on the armorial bearings and coat of arms of the city: Blue and gold are the colours of Brisbane. Blue for the sea (Brisbane is on the eastern coast of Australia) and also for the river on which Brisbane is situated. Gold for the sunshine -- Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland which is nicknamed "the sunshine state".

The blue and white (silver) wavy lines represent the river again. The gold caduceus (a herald's wand with two serpents twined around it), although better known as the symbol of medicine, in this case represents commerce and peace and is the emblem of Hermes (Mercury) in his capacity as protector of commerce. This is emblematical of the everyday activities of the city and lik