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The Flag of Portugal

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The flag is composed of two vertical bands:

  • Green: The hoist side (left) is green.

  • Red: The fly side (right) is red.

The ratio of the colors is unique: the green band occupies two-fifths of the flag's width, and the red band occupies three-fifths of the width.


The Portuguese coat of arms is centered over the junction of the red and green fields. This complex emblem consists of two key parts:

  • The Armillary Sphere: This golden, astronomical instrument, which represents Portugal's discoveries during the Age of Exploration, is the backdrop.

  • The Shield: Layered over the sphere is the traditional Portuguese shield.

    • White Shields (Quinas): Inside the large red border, five smaller blue shields, known as quinas, are arranged in a cross. Each quina contains five white dots (or bezants), symbolizing the five wounds of Christ and historically representing five Moorish kings defeated by the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques.

    • Castles: A wide red border surrounds the quinas and contains seven gold castles, symbolizing the victories of the Portuguese over their enemies and historically representing the castles captured during the Reconquista.

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