Kangaroo, an Australian Icon Essay Example for Free

Kangaroo, an Australian effigy EssayAn Australian Icon is defined as an image or symbolic representation, which often holds great significance and importance to the Australian culture. Every country has word-paintings that represent their culture and values Nelson Mandela is an example of a South African icon but also an icon of the world, who represented statesmanship, courage, freedom and equality against a calveheid. Australia also has some(prenominal) significant icons much(prenominal) as the Sydney Opera House, Uluru, vegemite, Ned Kelly, and the Koala to name a few. These have all played significant separate in Australias background, culture and values. Uniquely Australian.Ultimately, the Kangaroo has to be Australias most famous and significant icon, it is cognise by the majority of people around the world and associated always with Australia. Due to the similarities it sh bes with the Australian reference work, it is recognised as the typical icon of Australia. Th e kangaroo represents Australia in many ways including the logo for Qantas airlines, mascots for many sporting teams, and all products make in Australia are represented by the gold and green kangaroo trademark. Likewise it is represented on many television programs (e. g. Skippy the bush kangaroo), movies (e. g. kangaroo Jack), songs (e. g.Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport), toys and souvenirs.Most significantly of all, the kangaroo appears on the Australian Coat of Arms. Being an wight exclusive to Australia as well as hotshot that cant happen upon backwards, the kangaroo is symbolically sequester in representing Australia and the countries progress forward. Historical, Social, Cultural Context The kangaroo holds a significant historical, cultural and social background to Australia. earlier European settlement (around 1780s), the kangaroo was an important animal to Aborigines for its meat, hide, bones and sinews. It was also used in Aboriginal ideate stories (also an icon of Austral ia).There is a well-known myth about kangaroos and how they got their name. When European settlers arrived, seeing much(prenominal) a strange animal they asked the Aboriginals what it was, and they replied with kanguru. In their language this meant I dont know which is supposedly how the kangaroo got its name. Aboriginal tribes have many different legends regarding the kangaroo and some see it as a reincarnation of their ancestors. over the past 200 or so years, the kangaroo has broadened a lot in historical significance it is one of the oldest icons of Australia and therefore should be kept that way.By contributing the Kangaroo to a National Australian exhibition, it will swear out to keep the icon of the kangaroo alive and significant. The kangaroo represents Australias cultural and social background and is internationally recognisable. It represents the Australian character in many ways including Its size, strength and speed, which make it a national logo/emblem for Australian organisations and especially sporting clubs. Kangaroos are also symbolic of another Australian trait to peg up for your self and not back down.With their large feet and long tail kangaroos find it hard to move backwards, indicating that Australians are people who are moving forward and growing as people of Australia. discourse Discourses are the social and cultural practices through which individuals and groups use language to establish their identitiesthey provide ways of being, thinking, acting and utilize language so that people can identify themselves in social and cultural networks Discourses affect peoples views on all things, for example, two different discourses can be used about various guerrilla movements describing them either as freedom fighters or terrorists.The Kangaroo is so well represented as Australian that it has come to victuals and embody the dominant Australian discourse of both indigenous and non-indigenous people of Australia. This is evident through st rength, fighting spirit, individualism, attitude, and their tough/rough personalities. To conclude this proposal, the kangaroo should be contributed to the National Exhibition titled Icons of Australia because it represents Australians in such a way that it is known by most people throughout the world. The Kangaroo is recognised culturally, socially and historically and symbolises Australian discourse through its many traits.It is a unique animal to Australia and makes a huge contribution to Australias national identity. Representing Australia in so many ways, the kangaroo plays such a big part in Australias culture, history and even future, the National exhibit would be such a good way to bespeak and help Australians understand how such an icon can play such a big part in the country of Australia. Bibliography Icon definition icon ,2008, www. thefreedictionary. com/icon 20/05/08 Kangaroo Myth Kangaroo, 2000, http//www. frogandtoad. com. au, 20/05/08 Discourse M. Miller R. Colwin , Queensland Senior English, Macmillan Education).