THE Brazil's flag it is composed of a green rectangle, a yellow diamond, a blue circle, 27 white stars and a white band with the inscription "Order and Progress" in green.
The current model has been in use since November 19, 1889 and was last modified through Law No. 8421 of 1992.
The project is by Raimundo Teixeira Mendes (1855-1927) and Miguel Lemos (1854-1917), under the guidance of the astronomer of the Imperial Observatory of Rio de Janeiro, Manuel Pereira Reis (1837-1922). The design was inspired by the imperial flag.
Meaning of the colors of the Brazilian Flag
The current flag has kept the green and yellow colors of the imperial flag. However, the meaning of the colors was changed by the republican regime.
The green color came to represent nature, while yellow refers to gold and riches; while the blue and stars refer to the night sky of November 15, 1889.
However, on the imperial flag, colors had another meaning. Let's see:
- Green - color of the Bragança family coat of arms, to which Dom Pedro I belonged.
- Yellow - homage to the emperor's first wife, the Empress Leopoldine of Habsburg, for yellow is the color of the Habsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria, the birthplace of Leopoldina.
Geometric shapes in the National Flag
The national flag is formed by a green rectangle and on it are the following geometric shapes:
- Diamond: representation of women as mother, wife, sister and daughter.
- blue circle: ancient emblem used by the Romans and referring to heaven and perfection.
- stars: allusion to the appearance of the sky in the city of Rio de Janeiro, at 8:30 am on November 15, 1889, the date of the Proclamation of the Republic. The arrangement of the stars must send an observer situated outside the circle, as detailed in Law No. 8.421.
Meaning of the Stars on the Flag
In the circle of the flag are displayed nine constellations composed of 27 stars on behalf of each of the Federation units.
The legislation provides for the change whenever states are added or excluded in the geopolitical organization of the federation.
Positivist motto of the Brazilian Flag
The flag's sky is "cut" by an ascending white band with the inscription "Order and Progress" in green.
These words are part of a larger sentence: love as a principle, order as a basis, and progress as an end. The author is the founder of Positivism, Auguste Comte, whose ideas influenced the creation of the Republic.
Critics were not spared the choice of these words and several changes were proposed, without success. Among the most significant was that of senator Antônio Coelho Rodrigues (1846-1912), in 1896, suggesting that the inscription be changed to the motto "Lei e Liberdade".
Anthem to the National Flag
The Anthem to the Brazilian Flag is an exaltation of the nation's greatest symbol.
The lyrics were written by the poet olavo bilac (1865-1918) and the music was composed by conductor Francisco Braga (1868-1945). The anthem exalts the flag as a national symbol, in addition to the natural beauty and dimensions of Brazil.
History of the Brazilian Flag
About ten flags have represented Brazil since the territory was a colony, passing through its elevation to the United Kingdom and after independence. Here, we'll highlight two of them.
Imperial Flag
The first flag of independent Brazil was created by the French painter Jean-Baptiste Debret (1768-1848). At this time, Debret was working at the imperial court.
First Flag of Brazil, after the Republic
After the republican coup, on November 15, 1889, the imperial flag was replaced by a copy of the United States flag in green and yellow.
The design did not please anyone and lasted only four days as a national pavilion. Then it was replaced by the current one.
Uses of the National Flag
The National Flag is flown on days of celebration or national mourning. All government offices must display one, as well as schools of all levels, and unions.
Public or private schools must, obligatorily, hoist the flag at least once a week during the school year. At night, if hoisted, the flag must always be lit.
When several flags are hoisted at the same time, the Brazilian flag must be in the center, be the first to reach the top and the last to descend.
National Flag Day
O National Flag Day was established by Decree No. 4, of November 19, 1889, which also determined its use.
The measure was among the forms of recognition and reaffirmation of the Republic. The new flag, however, took a long time to conquer the citizens and only with the First Centenary of the Independence of Brazil, in 1922, the pavilion was popularized.
We have more of these texts on this subject for you:
- Independence Anthem
- Anthem of the Proclamation of the Republic
- Brazilian National Anthem
