Flag of Brazil
Overview
| Country | Brazil |
| Adopted | 1992 |
| Aspect ratio | 7:10 |
| Colors | |
| Elements | Stars, circle, text |
Description
A green rectangular field serves as the background for a large yellow rhombus centered in the middle. Inside the rhombus lies a blue celestial globe featuring a white curved band inscribed with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO in green capital letters. Twenty-seven white five-pointed stars of varying sizes are distributed across the blue sphere.
Symbolism
The green background and yellow rhombus historically represent the Houses of Braganza and Habsburg, the respective dynasties of the first imperial couple. Positioned within the blue sphere, the stars recreate the constellations visible over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of November 15, 1889. Each star signifies a specific federative unit, while the central motto Ordem e Progresso derives from the positivist principles of philosopher Auguste Comte. These celestial bodies are depicted as they would be seen by an observer situated outside the celestial sphere.
History
Brazil's republican flag was originally designed by Raimundo Teixeira Mendes and adopted on November 19, 1889, replacing the banner of the Empire of Brazil. While the primary geometry has remained consistent, the number of stars has been modified periodically to reflect the creation of new states. The current iteration, which includes 27 stars, was formally established by Law No. 8.421 on May 11, 1992. Before the 1889 transition, the national ensign featured the imperial coat of arms in place of the modern celestial sphere.