Portugal is a small European state located on the very edge of the continent. The country has a rich cultural and historical heritage, which is carefully preserved by its modern residents. Some facts of the history of Portugal are directly reflected in its state symbols. What can her flag tell about?
Description of the panel
Not everyone knows what the flag of Portugal looks like. This state symbol has a rectangular shape. The cloth is divided into two parts. At the pole there is a green stripe, which occupies two fifths of the entire length of the flag. The second part is made in bright red and takes, respectively, three-fifths. Width refers to the length of the panel as two to three. In the center of the line dividing the green and red parts, there is a fragment of the country's coat of arms - a shield with an armillary sphere. Therefore, for a deeper understanding of the meaning of such symbolism, it is worthwhile to understand not only the meaning of each shade. You should also learn about the history of the coat of arms of Portugal.
Appearance story
The flag of Portugal was approved more than a hundred years ago. This happened on June 30, 1911, some time after the collapse of the country's constitutional monarchy . A special commission worked on what the flag of Portugal would be during the reign of the Republican Party. It included the Portuguese artist Columban Bordal Pinheiro, Prime Minister Juan Pinheiro Chagash, writer and diplomat Abel Botello. The combination of red and green was at that time a very bold decision, uncharacteristic of flags. The commission chose it in order to emphasize that the new country has nothing in common with the previous monarchy. Since January 31, 1891, when the republican movement experienced an unsuccessful attempt at rebellion, these colors became the main symbol of the party.
What does each of the flowers mean?
The red color is intended to symbolize the revolution itself, it is an energetic shade of a determined people. The green color reminds the Portuguese of the reign of Henry the Navigator. His name is associated for them with hope and travels to new lands. The symbolism of the national emblem is also associated with Henry the Navigator , which makes the green color especially significant for the Portuguese. Such a flag of Portugal allows you to demonstrate the connection of the country with its history. This is very important for any character of this kind.
What did the old flag of Portugal look like?
Before the appearance of such a banner, one of the main symbols of the country looked completely different. The former flag was created during the time of King Afonso the First Great. Then it looked like a square white cloth with a blue cross. It was such a design that remained in the country until the establishment of the republican regime, which took place on June 19, 1911. The National Assembly, which headed the republic, created the commission, which was to replace the symbol of the departed constitutional monarchy.
National emblem
Since a fragment of another state symbol is located in the center of the banner, its significance also deserves attention. Without it, it is impossible to understand the flag of Portugal. The emblem of the country looks like a golden armillary sphere on which the shield is located. It is silver with a scarlet border and is decorated with seven locks of gold color. Five small azure shields are located in the center of the cross. On them - five silver bezant, arranged as follows: in the first and third row two, and in the center one. Golden laurel branches framed by two ribbons frame the sphere. The flag of Portugal also demonstrates the colors adorning the coat of arms, so the commission of creators wanted to connect both symbols with a single meaning. And she did it.
The history and significance of the coat of arms
This symbol was created in the process of combating the Arab conquerors of the Iberian Peninsula. The blue shields depicted on the coat of arms remind of King Afonso the First Enrikesh, who defeated his Saracen opponents in 1139. In the battle, the count received five wounds, which are reminiscent of silver bezant circles. Scarlet border and gold castles remind of the arms of Castile. They were added after the marriage of Afonso III to Beatrice, daughter of the Castilian king. Castles were recaptured from Mauritania by Portugal during the Reconquista. The armillary sphere, on which the coat of arms is located, recalls the glory and grandeur of the country in the era of geographical discoveries. This is a tool with which the coordinates of the heavenly bodies are determined. The sphere is formed by the moving part with the horizon and the meridian, as well as the celestial equator. The wide ring on it is decorated with images of the zodiac signs, and smaller rings represent the northern and southern tropics. Until the seventies of the twentieth century, it was assumed that the armillary sphere also symbolizes the size of the colonial empire. Now it has broken up. The branches of the laurel surrounding the coat of arms symbolize the glory of the state. This symbol was adopted on the same day as the flag, namely June 30, 1911.