Recife, Pernambuco (Brazil)

Last modified: 2008-08-30 by ian macdonald
Keywords: pernambuco | recife | lion | star (yellow) | cross (latin) | sun |
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image by Pascal Gross

• About the Flag

• Index of Brazil Pages
• State of Pernambuco
• Municipal Flags of Pernambuco
• Brazilian Municipal Flags

About the Flag of Recife

Source: Official city website, http://www.recife.pe.gov.br/pcr/secimprensa/noticias/simbolos.html. Coat of arms at same page.
Dov Gutterman, 5 December 2000

From www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/6271/simbolos.htm:
The flag was approved by law no. 11210 of 15 December 1973. It is a vertical triband of blue, white, and blue, the colors of the Pernambuco state flag, as well as of the sky and of peace. On the white band is a crowned golden lion, taken from the arms of the Netherlands (which held Recife from 1630 to 1654) and specifically representing Prince Maurice of Nassau. The lion also alludes to Recife's nickname "the lion of the north," from its involvement in various revolutionary struggles. The red cross symbolizes Portuguese colonialism, which brought Christianity to the area. The words coming out of the lion's mouth, virtus et fides, translates as "strength and faith." On the blue band in the hoist is a yellow star and on that in the fly a yellow sun, both taken from the Pernambuco state flag. The star also symbolizes Brazil itself, which Pernambucans consider to have had its roots as an independent country in the Pernambuco revolt of 1817.
Joseph McMillan, 17 March 2002