Lithograph poster featuring the Union Jack and its flags of origin, including the crosses of St George, St Andrews and St Patrick

Empire day poster, 1913, paper, linen, 272mm x 610mm. National Museum of Australia

The poster aims to explain the origins and symbolism of the Union Jack, which is present in the canton (top left corner) of the Australian flag. It contains images of the crosses of St Andrews, St George and St Patrick representing the countries of Scotland, England and Ireland respectively. Together, these three flags make up the Union Jack. The poster encourages patriotism with a quote from Lord Byron: ‘He who loves not his country can love nothing’.