Zealandia (personification)
Encyclopedia
Zealandia is a national personification
of New Zealand
. In her stereotypical form, Zealandia appears as a woman of European descent who is similar in dress and appearance to Britannia
, who is said to be the mother of Zealandia.
Zealandia appeared on postage stamp
s, posters, cartoons, war memorials, and New Zealand government publications most commonly during the first half of the 20th century. Zealandia was a commonly used symbol of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition
, which was held in Wellington
in 1939 and 1940. Two large Zealandia statues exist in New Zealand towns; one is in Waimate
and one is in Palmerston
; both are war memorials. Some smaller statues exist in museums and private hands.
The woman who appears on the left side of the coat of arms of New Zealand
is Zealandia. Apart from the coat of arms, Zealandia is seldom depicted in works today.
National personification
A national personification is an anthropomorphization of a nation or its people; it can appear in both editorial cartoons and propaganda.Some early personifications in the Western world tended to be national manifestations of the majestic wisdom and war goddess Minerva/Athena, and often took the...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. In her stereotypical form, Zealandia appears as a woman of European descent who is similar in dress and appearance to Britannia
Britannia
Britannia is an ancient term for Great Britain, and also a female personification of the island. The name is Latin, and derives from the Greek form Prettanike or Brettaniai, which originally designated a collection of islands with individual names, including Albion or Great Britain. However, by the...
, who is said to be the mother of Zealandia.
Zealandia appeared on postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s, posters, cartoons, war memorials, and New Zealand government publications most commonly during the first half of the 20th century. Zealandia was a commonly used symbol of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition
New Zealand Centennial Exhibition
The New Zealand Centennial Exhibition took place over six months from Wednesday 8 November 1939 until 4 May 1940. It celebrated one hundred years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and the subsequent mass European settlement of New Zealand...
, which was held in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
in 1939 and 1940. Two large Zealandia statues exist in New Zealand towns; one is in Waimate
Waimate
WaimateUrban AreaPopulation:2,835 Extent:Territorial AuthorityName:Waimate District CouncilPopulation:7,206 Land area:3,582.19 km² Mayor:John ColesWebsite:...
and one is in Palmerston
Palmerston, New Zealand
The town of Palmerston, in New Zealand's South Island lies 50 kilometres to the north of the city of Dunedin. It is the largest town in the Waihemo Ward of the Waitaki District with a population of 890 residents...
; both are war memorials. Some smaller statues exist in museums and private hands.
The woman who appears on the left side of the coat of arms of New Zealand
Coat of arms of New Zealand
The coat of arms of New Zealand is the official symbol of New Zealand. The initial coat of arms was granted by King George V on the 26 August 1911, and the current version was granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.-History and design:...
is Zealandia. Apart from the coat of arms, Zealandia is seldom depicted in works today.
External links
- "Ah, Zealandia -- what has become of thee?" "Timespanner" (Avondale Historical Society), 28 January 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2010.