Brazil’s national flag has a green field, a yellow diamond and a blue celestial globe crossed by a white band carrying the motto “Ordem e Progresso” (“Order and Progress”). The current republican flag was adopted shortly after the monarchy was replaced in 1889.
What does the Brazilian flag look like?
At the centre of the green field is a large yellow diamond. Inside it is a blue globe showing stars and a curved white band with the national motto. Brazilian law precisely regulates the flag’s proportions, star positions and colors.
What do the stars represent?
The stars represent Brazil’s states and Federal District. Their positions are based on the appearance of the sky over Rio de Janeiro at 8:30 a.m. on November 15, 1889, treated as if seen by an observer outside the celestial sphere. The flag is legally updated when necessary to reflect changes in the number of states.
History of Brazil’s flag
The republican national flag was adopted by Decree No. 4 of November 19, 1889, four days after the proclamation of the Republic. It retained the green-and-yellow palette associated with the imperial flag but replaced the imperial arms with the blue celestial globe and republican motto. Later laws standardised and updated the design.
Brazil flag facts
- Colors: green, yellow, blue and white
- Motto: Ordem e Progresso
- Republican flag adopted: November 19, 1889
- Stars: represent the states and Federal District
Source
Primary reference: Brazilian Presidency — Law No. 5,700 on National Symbols.
