The rising sun adorns the gables of countless houses of the Federation style (for my previous blog about this style of architecture: click here). It was a symbol of nationalism very popular at the beginning of the 20th century, representing the dawn of a new nation.
Australian soldiers began wearing the "slouch hat" in the latter part of the 19th century. In 1904, the Rising Sun badge was introduced, and in 1914, the hat, a khakhi hatband and the rising sun badge were combined as part of the official uniform, still worn by Australian soldiers. It gained iconic status in the battlefields of World War 1.
A brief history of the rising sun badge
I have seen these motifs on houses around Sydney but never appreciated what they meant, until now.
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