story time: the brazilian flag

Growing up in the USA, you learn all about this country, you learn about how it was formed and what wars happened and even what the flag means. Today I wanted to share with you the history behind the current Brazilian flag and what everything on it means.

There have been four flags of the country of Brazil since the 1500s. The first was the “Princess Flag”, it was encouraged that all Portuguese territories hoist this flag. However this flag has changed a few times is was not the official flag.

“Flag Princes of Brazil” by Tonyjeff, based on ancient national symbol. – XVII century. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

In 1815 Brazil was brought to the rank of Kingdom, now called the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves and the flag was changed to the (new) official seal.

“Flag United Kingdom Portugal Brazil Algarves” by Tonyjeff, based on ancient national symbol. – XIX century. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Next in 1822 the Empire of Brazil flag was introduced.

“Flag of Empire of Brazil (1870-1889)” by Tonyjeff, based on work of Jean-Baptiste Debret – XIX century. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

There was several iterations of the current flag (the Federative Republic of Brazil) that looks almost exactly like the current except the stars. The current (below) has 27, it is a representation of the twenty six states and one federal district and all the stars are positioned if the constellations in the sky about Rio de Janeiro in 1889. “The green and yellow colors represented the dynastic houses of Pedro I and his consort Maria Leopoldina of Austria”

“Flag of Brazil“. Via Wikipedia.