Flag of Brazil
Flag ratio: 10:17
The current national flag and ensign of Brazil was adopted on May 12, 1991. It is a green flag with a large yellow rhombus located in the center. Within the rhombus there is a sky-blue circle, with white stars of different sizes and a white band running through it. The motto "ORDEM E PROGRESSO", which means "Order and Progress" in Portuguese, is inscribed in the band.
The blue circle with stars is a portrait of the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of November 15 1889(the day of the declaration of the Old Republic), as seen from outside of the celestial sphere (i.e. the view is mirrored). Each particular star represents one particular state of Brazil.
The Stars
The constellation of southern cross is on meridian (indicated by the number 6 in the diagram). To the south of it, is the south star (σ Octantis, numbered 7), representing the Federal District.
Number of Stars
The number of stars on the flag has change since the original flag in 1889 when there were 21.
A list of constellations and stars on the map:
- Procyon (α Canis Minoris),
- Canis Major, with the largest star depicting Sirius,
- Canopus (α Carinae),
- Spica (α Virginis)
- Hydra
- Crux
- Polaris Australis
- Triangulum Australe
- Scorpius
