National Flag of the Federative Republic of Brazil (1992)
República Federativa do Brasil

Brazil’s flag is based on a design adopted in 1822, when over 300 years of Portuguese colonial rule came to an end and independence, under a constitutional monarchy, was proclaimed. 

On the 15th of November 1889, Brazil officially became a republic and adopted the pattern of the current national flag. 

The only difference between the flag adopted in 1889 and today’s flag is the number of stars appearing on the central blue disc. 

Like the flag of the United States, the number of stars on the Brazilian flag increases to match the inclusion of new states in the union.

In 1889, there was 21 stars in the flag, this increased to 22 in 1960, then to 23 in 1968 and most recently to 27 on the 12th of May 1992.

The Symbolic Meaning

Green symbolises the rainforests and vegetation of Brazil. Yellow represents Brazil's mineral resources, especially gold. Blue and white are historical colours of Portugal, Brazil’s former colonial ruler.

The national motto is written on the band across the middle of the disc: Ordem e Progresso, which means ‘Order and Progress’.

The 27 stars on the blue disc represent the 26 states of the federation and the Federal District.

The stars are arranged to replicate the constellations over the night sky of Rio de Janeiro at 20.30 hours (8.30pm) on the 15th of November 1889, the date of Brazil’s inauguration as a republic. 

Several constellations are represented, including the Southern Cross, Scorpio, the Greater Dog, the Lesser Dog, the Virgin, the Water Serpent, the Southern Triangle and the Keel of Argo.

Each state and the Federal District has a specific star assigned to it in one of the constellations.