The Rainbow Serpent

The Kakadu National Park logo depicts the Rainbow Serpent and was chosen to represent the local Aboriginal traditional owners and the broader Aboriginal community. It symbolises cultural unity across many clans and many languages throughout the region. Her image is a constant reminder of her power and presence and a reminder to the Bininj/Mungguy custodians of their obligations to care for country.

The Rainbow Serpent was a major creator being

She created passages through rocks and formed waterholes in the Kakadu landscape, helping form the habitat for all beings.

The Rainbow Serpent, is a powerful ancestor, known by many Aboriginal groups throughout
Australia. The Rainbow Serpent played an important role in the conception of Bininj/Mungguy and their cultural obligations to care for country. She is also part of the life cycle of plants and animals and the seasonal changes.

The many stories and sites associated with the Rainbow Serpent are often linked to water and places where she travelled across country, leaving behind features in the landscape. Bininj/Mungguy believe she is still present today, resting, and should never be disturbed.

Along with the Rainbow Serpent, Creation Ancestors came in many different forms. Other important beings include Bula (Jawoyn Ancestor), Namarrgon (Lightning Man) and Warramurrungundji (Earth Mother).

In the Kakadu region alone, the Rainbow Serpent has many different language names. To the north of the park she is known in Gun-djeihmi as 'almudj', in Kunwinjku she is 'ngalyod', in Gagudju she is referred to as 'nama'rdeedjurr', further south Jawoyn speakers say 'bolung', and to the north-west she is known in Limilngan as 'lulydjudjan'.

About the logo

The Kakadu National Park logo is a traditional image used to depict the Rainbow Serpent. This cultural design was chosen to represent the local Aboriginal traditional owners and the broader Aboriginal community. It symbolises cultural unity across many clans and many languages throughout the region. The serpent’s image is a constant reminder of her power and presence in the landscape. More importantly, she is a reminder to Bininj/Mungguy custodians and the next generations about their obligations to care for country.