The Aboriginal flag was designed by Harold Thomas, a Luritja man and Aboriginal artist, in 1971. He created the flag to serve as a symbol of unity and pride for Aboriginal people, inspired by his experiences and the need for a distinct symbol at protests and demonstrations. The flag's design features a black top half symbolizing the Aboriginal people, a red bottom half representing the earth and red ochre used in ceremonies, and a yellow circle in the center representing the sun, the giver of life. The flag was first flown in July 1971 and was officially recognized as a Flag of Australia in 1995. Harold Thomas held the copyright until it was transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia in 2022, allowing free public use of the design.