in996-Frame-the-stars-and-the-earth-protect-our-shared-memory

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In September in Australia, many families will solemnly wipe the national flag and national emblem frames that have been hung for many years to welcome the upcoming “National Heritage Week”. Those wooden frames with gold edges not only carry the brilliance of the Southern Cross and the courage of kangaroos and emus, but also embody a country’s awe of history and expectations for the future. The border of the frame is a metaphor for protection. The Commonwealth Star shines on the dark blue background, symbolizing the unity of the states; kangaroos and emus are engraved in the center of the national emblem because of their habit of not being able to retreat, implying that the country will never stop moving forward. The frame that wraps them is like the civilization boundary built by generations of Australians with their own hands – it does not isolate the world, but reminds people with a clear outline: identity comes from remembering history. The “blank” of the frame is also full of meaning. The Southern Cross on the national flag guides the direction for sailors, the acacia pattern on the edge of the national emblem symbolizes the vitality of the land, and the blank space outside the frame is waiting for future generations to write a new chapter. Just as the Aboriginals weaved the trajectory of the stars into ballads, and immigrants used multiculturalism to weave the social warp and weft, the stories outside the frame will always require courage and tolerance to fill in. Today, when we gaze at these framed symbols, we may think of the footprints of pioneers crossing the desert, or the flags flying on the front line of the fight against the epidemic. The frame is not a shackle, but a totem that builds consensus – it allows us to always remember where we come from and where we are going in a complex world. Between the stars and the earth, there is always a frame that holds the pride and responsibility of all Australians.

在澳洲的九月，許多家庭會鄭重擦拭懸掛多年的國旗與國徽相框，迎接即將到來的「國家遺產週」。那些鑲著金邊的木質相框，不僅承載著南十字星的璀璨與袋鼠、鴯鶓的勇毅，更凝聚著一個國家對歷史的敬畏與對未來的期許。相框的邊框，是守護的隱喻。聯邦之星在深藍底色上閃耀，象徵各州團結；袋鼠與鴯鶓因無法倒退的習性，被錒刻在國徽中央，喻示國家永不停歇的前行。而包裹它們的相框，正如一代代澳人用雙手構築的文明邊界——它不隔絕世界，卻以清晰的輪廓提醒人們：身份認同源於對歷史的銘記。相框的「留白」亦充滿深意。國旗上的南十字星為航海者指引方向，國徽邊緣的金合歡花紋象徵土地的生命力，而相框外的空白處，正等待後人書寫新的篇章。正如原住民將星辰軌跡編入歌謠，移民用多元文化織就社會經緯，相框之外的故事，永遠需要勇氣與包容去填補。今日，當我們凝視這些被框住的符號，或許會想起拓荒者穿越荒漠的足跡，或抗疫前線飄揚的旗幟。相框不是枷鎖，而是凝聚共識的圖騰──它讓我們在紛繁世界中，始終記得自己從何處來，又將向何處去。星辰與大地之間，永遠有一方相框，盛放著屬於所有澳人的驕傲與責任。