The Australian coat of arms features two iconic native animals: the emu and the kangaroo, and there’s a fascinating reason behind their inclusion. Both animals were chosen not just because they’re uniquely Australian but also because of their symbolic representation of progress. Interestingly, neither the emu nor the kangaroo can move backward easily—emus struggle to walk backward due to their body structure, and kangaroos find it difficult because of their large tails. This forward-only movement is a metaphor for Australia's ambition and determination to continually move forward as a nation.