The current flag of Western Australia is also the first in usage officially representing the state. The swan has been used as a popular symbol of Western Australia since the late 17th century, and in an 1870 letter by the Governor, the State Seal was indicated as a black swan on a yellow background.
From 1870 to 1953, the flag was nearly identical to its current rendition, except that the swan was facing the fly, or to the viewer's right. In hereditary rules, any animals on a flag must face the hoist, to the viewer's left (assuming the flag is in its obverse position). Thus, it was changed on November 3, 1953 to meet these demands
Proposals
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