What do the colors on Portugal's mean?

Answer 1

They do not mean anything.

Significant explanations regarding "bravery", "honour", "bloodshed", "courage", "hope" and so forth, were all later creations made by the Dictatorship after the 1930's.

The red flag with a green circle in the center were the colours of one Republican revolutionary flag hoisted in the Oporto City Hall in 1891. From 1891 to 1910, red and green flag colours became the symbol of the Republican movement.

If any historical connection, the red can be directly linked to others 19th century movements, as a symbol of one revolutionary and popular statement.

Answer 2

The current Portuguese flag was adopted in 1911. At the time, the monarchy had not long been overthrown and a new flag was adopted in the Republican colours of red and green.

Gradually, between the 1930s and the 1970s, it became known that the Green portion of the flag represents Hope for good things in the future and that the Red is a more serious representation of all those who have died for Portugal.

There are a number of people who disagree with these reasons and say that the colours are more historically related to Republican movements. Exactly who is right is unknown.

Although not directly relevant to the question, the Portuguese flag also includes an armillary sphere (an important navigational device) and the Shield of Portugal.

Answer 3

The green on the flag means hope, the red means blood of the men lost in wars and at sea. The draw in center of the flag, yellow means the globe and the 5 castles mean the four corners of the world with Portugal in the center, and over all mean the republic.