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List of Portuguese flags

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of flags used in Portugal.

National flag

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Flag Date Use Description
30 June 1911 – National flag and ensign A green and red rectangle with the national coat of arms (an armillary sphere and a Portuguese shield).

Autonomous regions

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Flag Date Use Description
1979–present Flag of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. This flag is similar to the flag of Portugal used between 1830 and 1910, except that the Portuguese coat of arms has been replaced by nine five-sided stars in a semi-circular arch over a stylized golden goshawk (in Portuguese: Açor), the symbol of the Azores, positioned over the border of the two bands.
1978–present Flag of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. A blue-gold-blue vertical triband with a red-bordered white Cross of Christ in the center.

Municipalities

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Government flags

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Flag Date Use Description
1911–present Flag of the president of the Republic A green rectangle with the national coat of arms.
2006–present Flag of the Assembly of the Republic A white rectangle (ratio 2:3) with a centrally positioned minor coat of arms and a green border.
1972–present Flag of the prime minister This flag is like the flag of the president, but is white with a green saltire with the Arms (sphere and shield) at the centre. There is a red border on all four sides with a pattern of laurel leaves in gold. This replaces the former flag of the Minister of defence.
1911–present Minister flag Same flag as the prime-minister, but without the red border.
1952–present Flag of the defence minister The only flag not to follow the style of the national flag

Military flags

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Flag Date Use Description
30 June 1911 – Regimental colours of the units of the Portuguese Armed Forces Equally divided in green and red with the national coat of arms enclosed by two yellow laurel shoots intersecting at their stems and bound by a white scroll bearing Camões's verse "Esta é a ditosa pátria minha amada" (English: "This is my beloved fortunate homeland") as the motto.
30 June 1911 – Naval jack of Portugal A square with a green-bordered red field charged with the national coat of arms on the center.

Army staff

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Flag Date Use Description
Marshal of the Portuguese army Four gold stars set as a square on a square banner
General of the Portuguese army Four silver stars set as a square on a square banner
Lieutenant General of the Portuguese army Three silver stars set as a triangle on a square banner
Major General of the Portuguese army Two silver stars side-by-side on a square banner
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Flag Date Use Description
Commander-in-chief of the Portuguese navy Rectangular white field quartered by a green cross, the cross of Christ on the top-right canton.
Fleet-admiral of the Portuguese navy Rectangular white field quartered by a green cross, the minor coat of arms of Portugal on the top-right canton.
Admiral of the Portuguese navy Rectangular white field quartered by a green cross.
Vice-admiral General of the Portuguese navy Rectangular white field quartered by a green cross, a red circle on the top-right canton.
Rear-admiral of the Portuguese navy Rectangular white field quartered by a green cross, a red circle on the top right and lower right cantons.

Historical flags

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Flag Date Use Description
1095–1143 Royal flag Heraldic banner (a blue cross on a white (or silver) field (hypothetical – hypothesis proposed in the 17th century))
Flag Date Use Description
1143–1185 Royal flag Heraldic banner (a blue cross with five blue escutcheons each charged with an undetermined number of bezants on a white field (hypothetical)).
1185–1248 Royal flag Heraldic banner (five blue escutcheons each charged with an undetermined number of bezants on a white field (first standard and historic royal coat of arms)).
1248–1385 Royal flag Heraldic banner (Five blue escutcheons each charged with an undetermined number of bezants on a white field. Border: red with yellow castles (number not fixed)).
1385–1485 Royal flag Heraldic banner (Five blue escutcheons each charged with an undetermined number of bezants on a white field. Border: red with yellow castles and a green cross of the Order of Aviz).
1485–1521 Royal flag Heraldic banner (Five blue escutcheons each charged with 5 bezants on a white field. Border: red with 8 yellow castles).
1495–1521 Alternative royal flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1521–1578 Royal flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1578–1640 Royal flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1616–1640 Alternative royal flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle (variant with branches of brambles under the shield)
1640–1667 Royal flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1667–1706 Royal flag (used only in fortresses and warships of the Crown) White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1706–1816 Royal flag until the late 18th century (used only in fortresses and warships of the Crown) and national flag from then on White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1750–1816 Variant of the royal flag until the late 18th century (used only in fortresses and warships of the Crown) and national flag from then on White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle (variant with a heraldic console encircling the shield)
1816–1826 National flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle (coat of arms of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves)
1826–1834 National flag (used by the Miguelist faction in the Liberal Wars). White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1834–1910 National flag Vertical bicolour blue-white. Proportion of the fields: 1:1.
Flag Date Use Description
1189–1191 Putative flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle
1248–1910 Putative flag White with the coat of arms of the Kingdom in the middle

Royal Titles

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Flag Date Use Description
1653–1908 Prince of Beira Banner of arms

Portuguese Macau

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Flag Date Use Description
1975–1999 Flag of the Government of Macau. During the Portuguese administration this flag also represented the Territory of Macau in the international forums, although it was not the official flag of the Portuguese territory. A light blue field charged with the coat of arms of Government of Macau.
Flag of the Municipality of Macau, one of two local municipal governments and in the sports events This was the flag used at the handover to China in 1999. A light blue field charged with the coat of arms of Municipality of Macau.

Military Flags

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Flag Date Use Description
14th–15th century Flag of Saint George. A white field charged with a red cross.
14th century Flag of the Order of Aviz White field charged with a green fleur-de-lis cross.
16th century–17th century Flag of the Order of Christ White field charged with the Cross of the Order of Christ.
16th century Variant of the flag of the Order of Christ used during the Discovery Age Green and white gyronny charged with the Cross of the Order of Christ.
17th century Variant of the flag of the Order of Christ used during the Portuguese Restoration War Green field charged with the Cross of the Order of Christ.
19th century 1853 Portuguese army regimental flag. White field charged with the Portuguese coat of arms.
19th century 1868 Portuguese army regimental flag. Vertical white and blue field charged with the Portuguese coat of arms.

Merchant marine flags

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Flag Date Use Description
15th–16th century Merchant flag White quincunx on a square blue field .
17th–18th century Portuguese Brazil coaster flag for ships with less than 15 pieces of artillery Seven green horizontal stripes on white.
17th century Merchant flag White field with the Cross of the Order of Christ off-center to the mast side.
18th century century Portuguese India merchant flag White field charged with a red or purple armillary sphere with three crosses, off center to the mast side.
18th century Portuguese Brazil merchant flag White field charged with a golden armillary sphere, off center to the mast side.
18th century Portuguese Brazil merchant flag, used by merchants involved in the Missions region. White field charged with the Portuguese coat of arms, a red armillary sphere and a missionary.
18th century Merchant flag, used by merchants of the city of Porto Six horizontal green stripes and five white stripes.
18th century Common merchant flag. Rectangular flag charged with 17 red, blue and white successions of stripes, quartered by a black cross, a white cross in the top-left canton.
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Flag Date Use Description
16th century General use Square white field charged with the Cross of Christ
1616–1640 Used at sea during the Iberian Union, flown in the stern section of the ship Rectangular white field charged with the arms of Portugal on branches, off-set to the mast side.
1640–1667 Used at sea, flown in the stern section of the ship. Rectangular white field charged with the arms of Portugal, off-set to the mast side.
17th century Portuguese India-based fleets, flown in the stern section. Backside of the royal flag. Rectangular white flag with Our Lady off-set to the mast side.
17th–18th century Commander of Portuguese-Brasil-based warships Rectangular green and white striped field charged with the coat of arms of Portugal.
–1670 Commander of Portuguese-India-based warships, flown in the stern section Rectangular white field charged with the royal coat of arms of Portugal set on a Cross of Christ, off-set to the mast side.
1600 War ensign
1706–1750, 1826–1830 Royal navy flag flown in the stern section. Rectangular white field charged with the arms of Portugal, off-set to the mast side.
1816–1826 Royal navy flag flown in the stern section. Rectangular white field charged with the arms of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves off-set to the mast side.
1834–1910 Variant of the national flag for use at sea (ensign) Vertical bicolour blue-white. Proportion of the fields: 1:2.
1833–1910 Royal navy jack, flown in the bow section Square white banner charged with the royal coat of arms of Portugal, a blue bordure.
1828–1910 Personal royal jack used at sea in the bow section Square white banner charged with the royal coat of arms of Portugal, a red bordure.
1707–1910 Personal royal banner used at sea in the stern section Rectangular red field charged with the royal arms of Portugal off-set to the mast side.

Royal banners

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Flag Date Use Description
1495–1521 Used in the presence of the monarch. Golden armillary sphere on a square red and white field.
1495–1521 Used in the presence of the monarch. Golden armillary sphere on a square red and white field.
1551–1568 Used in the presence of the monarch. Royal Portuguese coat of arms on a rectangular red field.
1540–1656 Used in the presence of the monarch. Royal Portuguese coat of arms on a rectangular blue field.
1683–1706 Used in the presence of the monarch. Royal Portuguese coat of arms on a rectangular green field.
1706–1750 Used in the presence of the monarch. Royal Portuguese coat of arms on a rectangular red field.
1826 Used in the presence of the monarch. Rectangular armorial banner.
1853–1861 Used in the presence of the monarch. Royal Portuguese coat of arms on a rectangular red field.
1853–1861 Used in the presence of the monarch. (alternative) Royal Portuguese coat of arms on a rectangular red field, the initials "PR" in each corner.

Governmental flags

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Flag Date Use Description
1911–1974 Flag of the navy minister White flag with a green cross of Saint George, with the Arms in the centre. As the position of "Minister of the Navy" has been abolished, the flag is currently not used.
1911–1974 Flag of the war/army minister Flag divided vertically like that of the Army, but with five white stars over all, arranged in a ring. As the position of "Minister of the War/Army" has been abolished, the flag is currently not used.
1911–2011 Flag of the civil governors De facto not in use since 2011.
1952 - 1972 Flag of the Portuguese President of the Council of Ministers. Square flag.

Chartered trading company flags

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Flag Date Company Description
1443–1503 Casa da Guiné
c. 1756 General Company of Commerce Pernambuco i Paraíbapt
c. 1756 Grão Pará and Maranhão Company
1922–1974 Companhia Colonial de Navegação

Colonial authorities flag

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Flag Date Use Description
1911–1933 Portuguese high commissioner
1911–1933 Portuguese district governor
1933–1975 Portuguese governor-general
1933–1999 Portuguese governor
1933–1975 Governor of province (1933–1951); governor of district (1951–1975)
1933–1951 Portuguese district intendent
1933–1951 Portuguese officer

Proposed flags

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Overseas provinces

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Flag Date Use Description
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese Angola Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese Angola in the lower-right corner.
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese Cape Verde Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese Cape Verde in the lower-right corner.
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese Guinea Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese Guinea in the lower-right corner.
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese India Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese India in the lower-right corner.
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese Macau Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese Macau in the lower-right corner.
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese Mozambique Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese Mozambique in the lower-right corner.
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe in the lower-right corner.
1965 Proposed flag for Portuguese Timor Portuguese national flag with the coat of arms of Portuguese Timor in the lower-right corner.

Colonies

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Flag Date Use Description
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese Angola
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese Cape Verde
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese Guinea
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese India
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese Macau
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese Mozambique
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese Timor

Capitals of former overseas territories

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Flag Date Use Description
–1964 City of Luanda Coat of arms of Luanda on a rectangular purple field
1964–1975 Second flag of Portuguese Luanda Coat of arms of Luanda on a rectangular purple and yellow gyronny
1952–1975 City of Dili Coat of arms of Dili on a rectangular green and white gyronny.
1952–1975 City of Dili (square version) Coat of arms of Dili on a square green and white gyronny.
–1962 City of Goa Coat of arms of Goa on a red and white rectangular gyronny
1962–1965 City of Goa Coat of arms of Goa on a white field.
–1975 City of Bissau. Rectangular red and black gyronny charged with the coat of arms of Bissau.
–1975 City of Bissau (square version) Square red and black gyronny charged with the coat of arms of Bissau.
–1975 City of Praia Rectangular white and blue gyronny charged with the coat of arms of Praia.
–1975 City of São Tomé Rectangular white and blue gyronny charged with the coat of arms of São Tomé.
–1962 City of Lourenço Marques (square version) Square green field charged with the arms of Lourenço Marques.
1962–1975 City of Lourenço Marques (square version) Square yellow and green gyronny charged with the arms of Lourenço Marques.

Political flags

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Flag Date Party Description
1974–present Socialist Party
1974–present Social Democratic Party
2024–present Democratic Alliance
2017-present Liberal Initiative
1999–present Left Bloc
1974–present Portuguese Communist Party
1989–present Unitary Democratic Coalition
1974–present CDS – People's Party
1983–present Ecologist Party "The Greens"
2014–present LIVRE
1970–present Portuguese Workers' Communist Party
2019–present React, Include, Recycle
1974–present People's Monarchist Party
2009–present Portuguese Labour Party
former
1974–1983 Worker–Peasant Alliance
1981–1992 Communist Party (Reconstructed)
1987–1989 Unitary Democratic Coalition
1976–1978 Electoral Front United People
1979–1987 United People Alliance
1980–1982 Republican and Socialist Front
1979–1983 Democratic Alliance
1978–1999 Revolutionary Socialist Party
1974–1981 Movement of Socialist Left
1974–2005 Popular Democratic Union
1974–1988 Portuguese Marxist–Leninist Communist Organization
1973–1976 Revolutionary Party of the Proletariat – Revolutionary Brigades
1969–1994 Portuguese Democratic Movement
1936–1974 Mocidade Portuguesa
1932–1934 National Syndicalists
1930–1974 National Union
1876–1912 Portuguese Republican Party
other
1975 Azores Liberation Front
1975–1978 Madeira Archipelago Liberation Front

See also

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