Flag of Portugal

The flag of Portugal, officially known as the “green and red flag”, is the national symbol of the country, reflecting its historical greatness, maritime heritage and republican values. Its design consists of two vertical parts: green and red, with the Portuguese coat of arms located on the border of the colors.

History of the Portuguese flag

The history of Portugal’s flag is linked to its rich maritime past, monarchical heritage and the formation of the republic.

The origin of the flag

• XII century: The initial symbolism appeared during the time of the first king of Portugal, Afonso I Henriques. Back then, the shield depicted a cross with blue heels, which became the basis for the future coat of arms.
• XV century: During the Age of Discovery, a golden castle and a red frame appeared on the flags, symbolizing the country’s growing naval power.
• XIX century: The flag had a white and blue design, reflecting monarchical power.

Adoption of the modern flag

• In 1910, after the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic, a new flag design was developed that combined red and green colors, symbols of revolution and national pride.
• The modern flag was officially adopted on June 30, 1911.

Colors of the flag of Portugal

Meaning of the flag colors

The design of the Portuguese flag is deeply symbolic:

1. Thecolor green:
   • Symbolizes hope for a bright future for the country.
   • It is associated with the movement for the establishment of the republic.
2. Red color:
   • It represents revolution, blood shed for freedom and courage.
   • Reflects the heroism of the Portuguese people.
3. Thecoat of arms of Portugal:
   • The centerpiece is a shield with five blue shields, each decorated with five white dots, symbolizing the five wounds of Christ and the victory over the Moors.
   • The red frame with golden locks represents the kingdom and its defensive power.
   • The jagged ball symbolizes Portugal’s maritime heritage and its role in great geographical discoveries.

Flag color codes

The official shades of the flag colors are approved for accurate representation:

1. Green:
   • RGB: (0, 102, 51)
   • HEX: #006633
   • CMYK: (100, 0, 50, 60)
   • Pantone: 349 C
2. Red:
   • RGB: (206, 17, 38)
   • HEX: #CE1126
   • CMYK: (0, 91, 81, 19)
   • Pantone: 186 C
3. Gold (coat of arms):
   • RGB: (255, 204, 0)
   • HEX: #FFCC00
   • CMYK: (0, 20, 100, 0)
   • Pantone: 123 C
4. Blue (shields):
   • RGB: (0, 51, 153)
   • HEX: #003399
   • CMYK: (100, 68, 0, 40)
   • Pantone: 286 C
5. White:
   • RGB: (255, 255, 255)
   • HEX: #FFFFFF
   • CMYK: (0, 0, 0, 0)
   • Pantone: White

Format and proportions

The flag of Portugal has a unique design with vertical color separation and the arrangement of the coat of arms.

Flag proportions

The standard aspect ratio of the flag is 2:3, where the green part occupies 2/5 of the width and the red part occupies 3/5 of the width.

Location of the coat of arms

The coat of arms of Portugal is located on the border of the green and red parts of the flag. Its height is half the height of the flag.

Interesting facts about the flag of Portugal

1. The flag of Portugal is one of the few flags in the world that contains symbols associated with the Age of Discovery.
2. Green and red colors became associated with revolutionary movements after the declaration of the republic.
3. The coat of arms on the flag reflects not only Christian values but also the greatness of the maritime power that played a key role in colonial expansion.

The flag of Portugal is a symbol of its rich history, struggle for freedom and national identity. Its unique design and bright colors emphasize the country’s importance in world history and modern politics.