Ceremonial customs

Anzac Day 2021. Photo: Alix heraid

Hall of Memory, Anzac Day 2021.
Photo: Alix Heraid

Commemorative ceremonies, such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, share many customs and traditions. Explore the origins and significance of these with the links below.

Customs and traditions

Silhouette of Australian buglar — The Last Post

Commemorative wreaths — Laying of wreaths

Engraved stone with the words of The Ode — The recitation (including the Ode)

The Flanders Memorial in the sculpture garden — A period of silence

Silence for one or two minutes is included in the Anzac Day ceremony as a sign of respect and a time for reflection.

The red poppy — Flanders poppies

The Flanders poppy has long been a part of Remembrance Day, the ritual that marks the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and is also increasingly being used as part of Anzac Day observances.

Historical photograph of buglar — The Rouse and the Reveille

The guard of honour in the Hall of Memory — Reversed arms

Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier — The unknown soldier

The Unknown Australian Soldier represents all Australians who have been killed in war.

The Lone Charger — The lone charger

Gun carriage — The gun carriage

A sprig of rosemary — Rosemary

Rifle volley salute — Rifle volleys and gun salutes

Original handwritten copy of In Flanders Fields — Poems

The Australian flag at half mast — Flags at half mast

A piper at the Memorial's Last Post Ceremony — The lone piper and Flowers of the forest

Last updated: 23 February 2022