Southern Cross

noun
1.
Also called Cross. Astronomy. a southern constellation between Centaurus and Musca.
Compare Northern Cross.
2.
U.S. History. the battle flag of the Confederate States of America.
Compare Stars and Bars.
Origin of Southern Cross
1690-1700, for def 1
British Dictionary definitions for Southern Cross

Southern Cross

noun
1.
a small conspicuous constellation in the S hemisphere lying in the Milky Way near Centaurus. The four brightest stars form a cross, the longer arm of which points to the south celestial pole Formal names Crux, Crux Australis
2.
(Austral) the flag flown at the Eureka Stockade
Southern Cross in Science
Southern Cross
  (sŭ'ərn)   
A constellation in the polar region of the Southern Hemisphere near Centaurus.