Why is the Portuguese flag the way that it is?

Answer 1

Today's Portuguese flag was adopted on June 30, 1911. For the monarchy had been abolished in Portugal. Those in support of the new, young Republic wanted to discard the blue and white flag that represented the traditional colors of the Portuguese monarchy. The replacement colors were the green and red colors of the Portuguese Republican Party.

Answer 2

The flag of Portugal has a two-color field that's unequally divided between about 2/5 dark green and 3/5 scarlet red. Centered over the color boundary between green and red is a version of the national coat of arms [Portuguese shield without laurel wreaths] on top of an armillary sphere, which is a model of a celestial sphere.

The armillary sphere is yellow outlined in black.

The red shield has a white border. There are seven castles in the red area, with three at the top and two in each side of the shield. A smaller white shield is centered over the red area. Within the white shield are five smaller blue shields forming a cross with three across the middle and one each above and below the central blue shield. Within each blue shield are five white circles in three rows, with two in the first and third rows and one in the middle row.

There has been much controversy over the meaning of the green and red colors.

As an important astronomical and navigational instrument for Portuguese sailors, the armillary sphere refers to the Age of Discoveries.

The Portuguese shield has been present in almost every historical flag, except during the reign of Afonso I. The small blue shields are linked to the Miracle of Ourique in 1139 in which the future Afonso I defeated five Moorish kings. The circles in each blue shield represent Christ's five wounds. The seven castles traditionally represent Afonso III's capture of seven Moorish fortresses. But the number is a popular belief without a firm basis.

The flag was adopted as the official national flag on June 30, 1911.

Answer 3

The Flag Of Portugal. It doesn't really have a name.

Answer 4

• Red for blood spilled in previous wars;
• Green for hope;
• Gold for integrity;
• White for honour;
• Blue for virtue.

Answer 5

All nations have and need flags.