Portugal Flag Meaning
A vertical bicolor of green and red with the national coat of arms at the boundary. The design reflects Portugal’s history of exploration, discovery, and national pride.
- Continent
- Europe
- Adopted
- 1911
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Colors
- green, red, yellow, blue, white
- Designer
- Adopted by the First Portuguese Republic after the monarchy fell
Symbolism
Green Field: Represents hope and the revolution of the Portuguese Republic.
Red Field: Symbolizes the blood shed by those defending the nation and its independence.
Armillary Sphere: Represents Portugal’s role in the Age of Discoveries and maritime navigation.
Shield with Castles: Represents the fortresses built to defend the nation during the Reconquista.
Five Blue Escutcheons with White Dots: Symbolize the Christian victories of Portugal’s first king, Afonso I, and the legend of divine intervention in battle.
History
- 12th Century: The Kingdom of Portugal was established under Afonso I.
- 15th–16th Centuries: Portugal became a global maritime empire, exploring Africa, Asia, and South America.
- 1640: Restored independence from Spain, with the monarchy strengthening national symbols.
- 1910: The monarchy was overthrown in the Republican Revolution.
- June 30, 1911: The current flag was officially adopted by the First Republic.
Trivia
- Portugal’s flag is one of the few to feature complex historical emblems, not just simple colors.
- The green-and-red design broke with Portugal’s traditional blue-and-white monarchical colors.
- The armillary sphere reflects Portugal’s global influence during the Age of Exploration.
- Portugal is Europe’s oldest nation-state with nearly the same borders since the 12th century.
- The flag is often seen flying alongside the flags of former colonies like Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique in Lusophone events.
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