National Flag of the Portuguese Republic (1911)

Portugal’s flag features a union of Portuguese emblems dating back to the 12th century.

The white shield charged with five blue shields are the arms adopted by the first king of Portugal, Alfonso Henriques I, after he defeated the Moors to establish the Christian kingdom of Portugal in 1139.

The red border with castles was added to the original arms a century later to commemorate the expansion of Portugal’s territory and the marriage of King Alfonso III to Beatrix of Castile.

Lying beneath the arms is an armillary sphere, dating from the 15th century; it is a tool used for maritime navigation and represents Portugal’s vast seafaring exploration and previous colonial empire. 

In 1910, a military coup overthrew Portugal’s monarchy, from the coup a green and red vertical striped banner was established. 

Charged with the full shield resting on the armillary sphere, it became the national flag and was adopted on the 30th of June 1911.

The Symbolic Meaning

Red represents the Portuguese revolution of 1910, which overthrew the monarchy and green symbolises hope.

The central white shield, dating from the 12th century, features five blue shields charged with five white dots. 

The blue shields symbolise the first king of Portugal, Alfonso Henriques I, victory over five Moorish kings and the divine assistance he received to do so is represented by the five dots, symbolising the five wounds of Christ. 

Arranged in a cross the shields represent Christianity. 

The red border featuring seven castles symbolises the extension of Portugal’s territory to include the Algarve and the marriage of King Alfonso III to Beatrix of Castile in the 13th century.

Behind the national arms is a navigational instrument, an armillary sphere. It commemorates Prince Henry the Navigator, who initiated the maritime exploration that led to Portugal’s one time colonial empire.