What is the story behind Brazil's flag?

Answer 1

The Brazilian flag officially was adopted as the national flag on November 19, 1889, four days after Brazil became a republic. A different flag, which was similar to the U.S. flag, was flown for the first four days. It then was rejected because of its similarity to Another Country's flag.

Marshal Manuel Deodoro da Fonse [August 5, 1827-August 23, 1892], who ended the Empire of Brazil by deposing Emperor Pedro II, on November 15, 1889, suggested restoring the imperial flag but with important changes. The new flag was designed by Raimundo Teixeira Mendes [January 5, 1855-1927]. The flag kept the imperial flag's green field with a large yellow rhombus [diamond shape] in the center. The royal crest, which was centered in the diamond, was replaced with a blue globe of stars. A curved white band ran through the blue circle. Inscribed in green capital letters in the white band was the national motto of Brazil: 'Ordem e Progresso' ['Order and Progress'].

The symbolism of the colors on the republican flag was unlike that of the imperial flag. Under the Empire of Brazil, green represented the House of Braganza of the first Emperor, Pedro I [October 12, 1798-September 24, 1834]. Yellow represented the House of Hapsburg of Empress consort Maria Leopoldina [January 22, 1797-December 11, 1826] of Austria.

On the modern flag, green was to symbolize the forest, and yellow the mineral wealth. The blue circle showed the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of November 15, 1889. The stars each represented a specific state.

The original republican flag had 21 stars. There are now 27, representing the 26 states plus the Federal District where the capital of Brasilia is located. For example, 'Sigma Octantis', which is the current 'South Star', represents the Federal District. The reason for such representation is the visibility of 'Sigma Octantis' across almost all of Brazil all year.

The national motto was inspired by the positivist motto of Auguste Comte [1798-1857]. Comte was a French philosopher who was admired by members of the military coup in Brazil.