Meaning of the Stars on the Australian Flag

The Australian National Flag features **seven stars**, not six:

• Commonwealth Star (Federation Star) – large 7-pointed star below the Union Jack. **Six points represent the six original states (1901); the seventh point (added 1908) represents the territories** (Northern Territory, ACT, and external territories).
• Southern Cross – five stars (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon Crucis) on the fly: four 7-pointed, one 5-pointed (Epsilon). Represents the constellation visible in southern skies.

Total: 7 (Commonwealth) + 5 (Southern Cross) = 12 stars.

The Union Jack (canton) acknowledges British settlement history.