Portugal’s national flag is vertically divided into green and red, with the national coat of arms centred over an armillary sphere where the two colors meet. The design was created after the republican revolution of October 5, 1910.
What does the Portuguese flag look like?
The hoist side is green and the larger fly side is red. At the boundary is a yellow armillary sphere supporting Portugal’s shield. The current design deliberately differs from the blue-and-white flag associated with the constitutional monarchy that ended in 1910.
History of the Portuguese flag
Following the establishment of the Portuguese Republic on October 5, 1910, the provisional government made new national symbols a priority. A commission including Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, Abel Botelho and João Chagas developed the new flag. The green-and-red design was approved and formally regulated in 1911.
What do the symbols represent?
The armillary sphere recalls Portugal’s maritime and navigational history. The shield incorporates the five blue escutcheons and seven castles found in Portuguese heraldry. Modern popular explanations often attach emotional meanings to green and red, but the best-documented historical point is that these colors were closely associated with the republican movement that overthrew the monarchy.
Portugal flag facts
- Colors: green and red
- Central elements: armillary sphere and national shield
- Republic established: October 5, 1910
- Current flag formally established: 1911
Source
Primary reference: Presidency of the Portuguese Republic — National Symbols.
