# flag of Brazil

> national flag of the Federative Republic of Brazil

**Wikidata**: [Q82194](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q82194)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Brazil)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flag-of-brazil

## Summary

The flag of Brazil is the national flag of the Federative Republic of Brazil, adopted on November 19, 1889, following the proclamation of the Republic of Brazil. It features a green field with a yellow diamond and a blue celestial globe containing 27 white stars arranged in the pattern of the night sky over Rio de Janeiro, with a white curved band across the globe bearing the national motto "Ordem e Progresso" (Order and Progress). The flag serves as one of Brazil's primary national symbols and represents the country's identity, sovereignty, and values.

## Key Facts

- **Official name**: Flag of Brazil (Bandeira do Brasil)
- **Adoption date**: November 19, 1889 (1889-11-19T00:00:00Z)
- **Designer**: Teixeira Mendes (Brazilian philosopher and mathematician, 1855–1927)
- **Country**: Brazil — country in South America, independence declared September 7, 1822
- **Aliases**: Brazilian flag, Brazil flag
- **Classification**: National flag (flag of a country or nation)
- **Parent entity**: National symbols of Brazil
- **Wikipedia title**: Flag of Brazil
- **Wikidata description**: national flag of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Sitelink count**: 79
- **Dimensions**: Standard ratio of 7:10
- **Colors**: Green (field), Yellow (diamond), Blue (celestial globe), White (stars and motto band)
- **Stars**: 27 white stars representing Brazilian states and the Federal District
- **Motto**: "Ordem e Progresso" (Order and Progress) in green letters on white curved band

## FAQs

**When was the flag of Brazil adopted?**

The flag of Brazil was officially adopted on November 19, 1889, following the proclamation of the Republic of Brazil, which replaced the Empire of Brazil. This adoption occurred shortly after the military coup that ended the monarchy.

**Who designed the Brazilian flag?**

The flag was designed by Teixeira Mendes, a Brazilian philosopher and mathematician who lived from 1855 to 1927. Mendes was a prominent intellectual figure in Brazil and contributed significantly to the design of republican symbols.

**What do the colors and symbols of the Brazilian flag represent?**

The green field represents the House of Braganza, the imperial dynasty, while the yellow diamond represents the House of Habsburg, symbolizing the union of the imperial families through marriage. The blue celestial globe represents the night sky over Rio de Janeiro at the time of the proclamation of the Republic, and the 27 stars represent the Brazilian states and the Federal District. The motto "Ordem e Progresso" (Order and Progress) appears on a white curved band.

**How many stars are on the Brazilian flag?**

There are 27 white stars on the Brazilian flag, each representing a Brazilian state plus the Federal District. The stars are arranged in the exact pattern of the night sky over Rio de Janeiro as it appeared on November 15, 1889, the date of the proclamation of the Republic.

**What is the motto on the Brazilian flag?**

The Brazilian flag bears the motto "Ordem e Progresso" (Order and Progress) in green letters on a white curved band that crosses the blue celestial globe. This motto reflects the values of the republican movement that overthrew the monarchy.

## Why It Matters

The flag of Brazil matters as a powerful symbol of national identity, unity, and sovereignty for one of the world's largest countries and economies. Adopted during a pivotal moment in Brazilian history—the transition from monarchy to republic—the flag represents the nation's break from its colonial and imperial past while honoring its historical roots through the symbolic use of green and yellow. The celestial globe with its 27 stars serves as a unique identifier among world flags, making Brazil's flag instantly recognizable internationally. The motto "Ordem e Progresso" encapsulates Brazil's aspirations for democratic governance and economic development, values that continue to define the nation's political and social objectives. As an official symbol of the Federative Republic, the flag is displayed at government buildings, diplomatic missions, sporting events, and public gatherings, serving as a constant reminder of Brazilian heritage and the principles upon which the republic was founded.

## Notable For

- **Unique celestial design**: The only national flag featuring a depiction of the night sky as a celestial globe, showing the exact constellation pattern over Rio de Janeiro at the time of the Republic's proclamation
- **27 stars representing all states**: Each of the 27 stars corresponds to a Brazilian state plus the Federal District, making it one of the most detailed state-representing flags in the world
- **Historical continuity of colors**: Despite the change from monarchy to republic, the green and yellow colors have remained constant since 1822, connecting modern Brazil to its imperial origins
- **Mathematical precision**: The flag's design involves specific geometric proportions (7:10 ratio) and precise astronomical positioning of stars
- **Motto integration**: The "Ordem e Progresso" motto is uniquely integrated into the design itself, appearing on the celestial globe rather than in a separate location

## Body

### Historical Context and Adoption

The flag of Brazil was adopted on November 19, 1889, following the proclamation of the Republic of Brazil on November 15, 1889. This transition marked the end of the Empire of Brazil, which had existed since the independence of Brazil from the Portuguese Empire in 1822. The new republican government sought to establish distinct national symbols that would reflect the democratic ideals and modern character of the newly formed Federative Republic. The adoption of the flag represented a deliberate break from the imperial symbols while maintaining certain visual elements that had become associated with Brazilian national identity.

### Designer and Creation

The flag was designed by Teixeira Mendes (1855–1927), a Brazilian philosopher and mathematician who played a significant role in the intellectual life of late 19th century Brazil. Mendes was a citizen of Brazil and contributed not only to the design of the flag but also to the broader project of creating republican symbols for the new government. His background in mathematics proved valuable in establishing the precise geometric proportions and astronomical accuracy of the flag's design, particularly in the positioning of the stars on the celestial globe.

### Geographic and National Context

The flag belongs to Brazil, a country in South America with a rich history spanning from its colonial period beginning in 1500 as part of the Portuguese Empire to its independence in 1822 and subsequent republican era. Brazil's national symbols, including the flag, are maintained under the overview of National symbols of Brazil, which documents the official emblems and icons that represent Brazilian national identity. The flag's design reflects the country's continental size, its federal structure of states, and its aspirations for progress and democratic governance.

### Design Specifications

The Brazilian flag consists of a green field (rectangle) with a yellow diamond in the center, upon which rests a blue celestial globe. The globe contains 27 white five-pointed stars arranged in a pattern that mirrors the night sky over Rio de Janeiro as it appeared on November 15, 1889, at the moment of the Republic's proclamation. A white curved band crosses the globe from left to right, bearing the national motto "Ordem e Progresso" in green letters. The standard proportion of the flag is 7:10, and the design incorporates specific geometric and astronomical principles that ensure accuracy and visual balance.

### Symbolism and Meaning

Each element of the flag carries symbolic meaning rooted in Brazilian history and aspirations. The green field represents the House of Braganza, the imperial dynasty that ruled Brazil during the monarchy, while the yellow diamond represents the House of Habsburg, symbolizing the marriage between Emperor Pedro I and Princess Maria Leopoldina of Austria. The 27 stars represent the 26 states of Brazil plus the Federal District, with each star's position corresponding to its geographic location in the Brazilian sky. The motto "Ordem e Progresso" reflects the republican ideals of maintaining social order while pursuing economic and technological advancement.

### International Recognition

With a sitelink count of 79, the Flag of Brazil is well-documented across multiple language versions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, making it one of the more thoroughly documented national flags in the world. The flag serves as a primary identifier for Brazil in international contexts, from diplomatic missions to sporting competitions, where it represents the nation's nearly 215 million citizens and its significant role in global affairs. The unique celestial globe design makes the Brazilian flag instantly distinguishable from other national flags and contributes to Brazil's visual identity on the world stage.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. [Brazil | VexiWiki | Fandom](https://flags.fandom.com/wiki/Brazil)
4. Name Suggestion Index