National flag of any country represents a lot of things.  Brazil’s flag is very attractive and colorful. It has a green field with a yellow rhombus in the center. Within the rhombus, there is a blue ball or circle with 27 stars of different sizes. A white band runs through the circle. “Ordem e Progresso” – the motto is inscribed in the white band with capital letters. The flag is also known as “Auriverde” which means “of gold and green”.

The modern flag of Brazil was designed by Raimundo Teixiera Mendes and was adopted officially on 19th November, 1889. In the year 1992, some minor changes were made in this flag and during this time, the 27 stars were introduced in the flag. I was amazed to know that there were 20 flags previous to this modern flag.

I came to know from a website that the present flag of Brazil is greatly inspired by the flag of previous Brazilian Empire. Apart from this, there is a lot of symbolism in this flag. Green represents the forests of Brazil whereas the yellow rhombus is for the mineral wealth of the country. The blue circle and the stars on the other hand represent the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the day of their Republic Day.

The 27 stars of the Brazilian Flag also represent lots of things. You will find a single star above the band which represents the state of Para. There are a number of constellations which also represent a group of stars – Crux is for southeastern states, Scorpius for Northeastern Brazil, Triangulum Astrale for southern states. There are 4 single stars Procyon, Spica, Canopus and Sigma Octantis which respectively represent Amazonas, Pará, Goiás and the Brazilian Federal District.

A simple flag but so much to know isn’t it!