The AOC logo
appears frequently throughout this website. It was designed by Gerald
McCraith, one of AOC’s founding fathers, in 1967. The following,
prepared by Gerald at the time, describes his concept and the symbolism:
"A single symbol appears to be inadequate to symbolize the
culture of orchids grown in widely separated centres within Australia.
With this in mind, the logo has been designed, with the risk of
overcrowding, using Dendrobium bigibbum to symbolize the orchids
endemic to the semi-tropical North of our country and all the orchids
which have their origin in the tropics or semi-tropics, now cultivated
in the many orchid collections throughout Australia.
By using Sarcochilus falcatus, a dwarf growing epiphyte gem of
the rain forests along the eastern coastline of Australia, to symbolize
all native orchids that are confined to the temperate zone, while its
reflection symbolizes the orchids in cultivation that have their origins
in the temperate zone of many other lands.
By embracing these with the graceful terrestrial Pterostylis,
the fascinating Greenhoods, common to each of the States of the
Commonwealth to symbolize the opening of the door that revealed an
exciting new interest in life for so many, together with the many
friendships that have been made because of a common interest in the
study of orchids.
By using the inner circle, being the sixth segment of the design, to
symbolize the three petals and three sepals of an orchid in their
perfect or modified form, while the other circle is emblematic of the
column, perfect in all of its parts, which separates orchids from all
others in the flowering kingdom.
In reflection may we see that each part of the design has a symbolic
meaning to communicate, for as an emblem of Harmony, properly prepared,
and enclosed with two continuous parallel bands to signify Strength; the
design as a whole is intended to be emblematic of Strength of Unity,
together with the Harmony of Friendship found among those who delight in
the cultivation or the preservation of orchids."
