Flags

National identity and pride

Flags are crucial symbols that foster identity, pride and unity by representing a nation's history, values and culture. They act as a unifying beacon at sporting events, ceremonies and on government buildings. The flags of the Australian states all bear the Union Jack on a dark blue background and each is distinguished by a unique state badge.

Elements of the Tasmanian flag:

1. A blue ensign with the proportions two by one consisting of a blue flag with the Union Jack occupying the upper quarter next to the staff with a lion passant red on a white shield in the fly.
2. A circular white ground with a diameter equal to three-sevenths of the breadth of the flag and positioned with its centre one-quarter of the length of the flag from the edge of the fly and on the line between the upper and lower quarters.
3. A red lion in the passant position fimbriated in black inside the white shield facing towards the staff.

History of the Tasmanian flag

A proclamation which appeared in the Hobart Town Gazette on 25 September 1876, and accompanied by illustrations, officially proclaimed three flags for the colony of Tasmania. These flags were the Governor’s flag, the flag for government vessels and the flag for merchant vessels.

For reasons unknown the proclamation was revoked soon after. However, the flag for government vessels, the blue ensign with lion passant on a white shield or badge in the fly of the flag, was subsequently adopted for general state government use, but was not officially gazetted until 3 December 1975.

There is no official record on the choice of the lion on the Tasmanian flag, however lions have featured prominently in European heraldry for centuries and it has been supposed the lion symbolises the colony’s loyalty to Great Britain.

On 25 September 1876, the Governor of Tasmania decreed the distinguishing flag for vessels employed by the government of Tasmania would be the blue ensign with a red lion superimposed on a white shield. This ratified a proclamation made by Queen Victoria on 7 August 1869.

The flag was subsequently adopted for general state government use, but it was not until 3 December 1975 that the design was gazetted.

Flag-flying protocols

Information on flag-flying protocols, including order of precedence, flying flags at half mast, flag-raising ceremonies and general information about the Australian flag is available at the Australian Government Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

You can email us to go on our email notification list for when the Tasmanian or Australian National flag should be flown at half-mast, or on occasions when it is encouraged to fly the Aboriginal flag.

Tasmanian flag scheme

A limited number of Tasmanian flags are kept in stock for philanthropic groups and non-profit organisations within Tasmania. Email us to request a Tasmanian flag for your group, organisation or student trip.

Loan flags

A collection of flags are available for loan. To request a flag, complete the request form and email it to us.

Contact

Email: Protocol@dpac.tas.gov.au