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{{more citations needed|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox Flag
{{Infobox Flag
| Name = Azores
| Name = Azores
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| Image = Flag of the Azores.svg
| Image = Flag of the Azores.svg
| Image_size =
| Image_size =
| Alt = Flag of the United Nations
| Alt = Flag of the Azores
| Use = 110100
| Use = 110000
| Symbol = [[File:IFIS Equal.svg]]
| Symbol = {{FIAV|normal}}{{FIAV|110000}}
| Proportion = 2:3
| Proportion = 2:3
| Adoption = 1979
| Adoption = April 10, 1979
| Design = Blue and white bands, superimposed by golden [[Northern goshawk|goshawk]] and surmounted by nine stars with traditional Portuguese shield in the left corner.
| Design = Blue and white bands, superimposed by golden [[Northern goshawk|goshawk]] and surmounted by nine stars with traditional Portuguese shield in the left corner.
| Designer =
| Designer =
}}
}}
The '''Flag of the Azores''' ({{lang-pt|Bandeira dos Açores}}) is the regional flag of the [[Azores|Autonomous Region of the Azores]]. It is a rectangular bicolour with a field unevenly divided into blue on the hoist, and white on the fly. Adopted in 1979 by the [[Legislative Assembly of the Azores|regional government of the Azores]], it is based on the traditional colours and symbols of [[List of Portuguese flags#Historical flags|Portuguese flags]] used prior to the [[5 October 1910 revolution|revolution of 1910]].
The '''Flag of the Azores''' ({{langx|pt|Bandeira dos Açores}}) is the regional flag of the [[Azores|Portuguese Autonomous Region of the Azores]]. It is a rectangular bicolour with a field unevenly divided into blue on the hoist, and white on the fly.

It was established on 10 April 1979 by the [[Legislative Assembly of the Azores|Regional Assembly of the Azores]], being based in the [[Flag of Portugal#1830-1910|National Flag of Portugal]] used between 1830 and 1910.


==Design==
==Design==
The flag construction follows the same proportions and other features of those present in the [[Flag of Portugal]].
[[File:Crest of the Azores.gif|thumb|235px|left|19th century symbol of the Azores]]


Its length is equal to 1.5 times its width, corresponding with an aspect ratio of 2:3.<ref name="GRA">{{cite web |url=https://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/pgra/textoImagem/S%C3%ADmbolos+-+A+Bandeira+dos+A%C3%A7ores.htm?lang=pt&area=ct |title=Símbolos - A Bandeira dos Açores |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |language=Portuguese |author=Governo Regional dos Açores |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-date=24 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100134/https://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/pgra/textoImagem/S%C3%ADmbolos+-+A+Bandeira+dos+A%C3%A7ores.htm?lang=pt&area=ct |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Construction===
The flag is constructed in the same form as the [[flag of Portugal]] equal to 1 1⁄2 times its width, or an aspect ratio of 2:3. The background is vertically divided into two colours: blue on the hoist side, and white on the fly.<ref name="GRA">{{cite web |url=https://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/pgra/textoImagem/S%C3%ADmbolos+-+A+Bandeira+dos+A%C3%A7ores.htm?lang=pt&area=ct |title=Símbolos - A Bandeira dos Açores |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |language=Portuguese |author=Governo Regional dos Açores}}</ref> The colour division is made in a way that blue spans 2⁄5 of the length and the remaining 3⁄5 are filled by white (ratio 2-3).<ref name=GRA/> Positioned over the border of these two bands are nine five-sided stars in a semi-circular arch over a stylized golden [[Northern goshawk|goshawk]], with its wings extended so that the end stars.


The field is vertically divided into two colours: blue on the hoist side, and white on the fly. The colour division is made in a way that blue spans 40% of the length and the remaining 60% are filled by white.<ref name="GRA" />
===Background===
[[File:Flag Portugal (1830).svg|thumb|150px|The 1830 flag of the Liberal forces under [[Peter IV of Portugal]]]]
[[File:Flag of the Azores Liberation Front.jpg|thumb|150x150px|The flag of the [[Frente de Libertação dos Açores]] after the Carnation Revolution]]
The Azorean colours have their beginning in the royalist history of the Portuguese nation, first presented in the coat of arms of [[Henry, Count of Portugal]].


Positioned over the border between the blue and the white fields are nine five-sided golden stars in a semi-circular arch over a naturalistic designed golden [[Northern goshawk|goshawk]], with its wings extended. The top left canton of the flag contains the [[Coat of arms of Portugal|Portuguese Shield]].<ref name="GRA" />
During the height of the [[Portuguese Civil War]], in the early 19th century, the Azores served as an important Liberal stronghold, with the prominent [[Duke of Terceira]] struggling against the absolutists led by [[Miguel I of Portugal|Dom Miguel]]. The colours of the flag were thus adopted from the Portuguese liberal flag, as to demonstrate the Azores' important role in the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Portugal. The Azorean flag therefore came as an adaption of the flag used from 1830 until 1910, when the monarchy was abolished.


==History==
Even in the post-[[Carnation Revolution]], some groups, such as the defunct far-right [[Azores Liberation Front]] (''Frente de Libertação dos Açores'' or FLA) began adopting symbols that were comparable to the traditional blue-and-white.
[[File:Crest of the Azores.gif|thumb|150px|right|Early 19th century seal of the Azores]]
Historically, the Azores and its flag are deeply connected to the Flag of Portugal used between 1830 and 1910.

In 1828, the Azorean island of [[Terceira]] was taken by the Portuguese Liberals in an event that triggered the [[Liberal Wars]], a civil conflict that opposed the Liberal party headed by the ex-King [[Peter I of Brazil|Peter IV (Emperor Peter I of Brazil)]] to the [[Miguelites|Miguelite party]] headed by his brother King [[Miguel I of Portugal|Michael I]]. The city of [[Angra do Heroismo|Angra]] at the Terceira, became then the provisional capital of the Regency Council headed by the prominent [[António José Severim de Noronha, 1st Duke of Terceira|count of Vila Flor]] (future first [[duke of Terceira]]), governing in the name of the Queen [[Mary II of Portugal|Mary II]], daughter of Peter IV.

By decree of 18 October 1830, the Regency Council established a new National Flag, whose field would be blue and white, with the Portuguese Coat of arms in the middle. The blue and white had already been adopted as the national colours of Portugal in 1821, with the justification that those were the heraldic colours of the nation since [[Henry, Count of Portugal|Count Henry of Portugal]]. At that time they were however only applied to the [[cockade|national cockade]] and not to the flag, which remained white with the Portuguese coat of arms in the middle. The first example of the new blue and white flag was embroidered by Mary II herself and raised for the first time at the Fortress of Angra. Initially, the new flag was only used at the Azores islands, which were then the only parts of the Portuguese territory controlled by the Liberals. The new Portuguese flag was so born with a close connection to the Azores.
[[File:Flag of Portugal (1830–1910).svg|thumb|200px|left|The 1830-1910 flag of Portugal, raised for the first time at the Terceira, Azores]]
[[File:Flag of the Azores Liberation Front.svg|left|thumb|200px|Flag of the [[Azores Liberation Front]]]]
Eventually, the Liberal Wars ended in 1834 with a victory of the Liberals, who at that time already controlled most of Portugal. A Constitutional Monarchy was then established, lasting until the [[5 October 1910 revolution]], which replaced it by the [[First Portuguese Republic]]. During this period, the blue and white flag was the National Flag of Portugal.

In the late 19th century, some political movements reclaiming an increase of the Azores autonomy adopted a flag which design was very similar with the present Flag of the Azores. The colours of the autonomist flags were thus adopted from the then Portuguese National Flag as to demonstrate the Azores' important role in the establishment of the Portuguese Constitutional Monarchy.

The [[1976 Constitution of Portugal]] established the present Autonomous Region of the Azores. In 1979, the Regional Assembly of the Azores established the symbols of the region, including the Regional Flag. The Azorean Flag came as an adaption of the Portuguese flag used from 1830 until 1910, at the same time being also inspired by the autonomist flags of the late 19th century. [[File:First Autonomous Flag for the Azores.svg|left|thumb|200px|First Autonomist Flag, made in November 1876]]


==Symbolism==
==Symbolism==
Blue and white were traditional colours used by the Portuguese nation.
Blue and white were traditional colours used by the Portuguese nation and also represent the Portuguese Constitutional Monarchy borne in the Azores.

The nine stars symbolize the archipelago's nine islands.

The name of the archipelago comes from the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] word ''açor'', meaning [[Northern goshawk|goshawk]], because it was supposed to be a common bird at the time of the discovery. However these birds never existed on the islands, they actually were a local subspecies of the [[Common buzzard|buzzard (''Buteo buteo'')]], that was erroneously identified as goshawks by the first explorers.

The shield of Portugal present in the top left corner of the flag represents the Portuguese patriotism of the Azorean people.

==Protocol==
In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the Flag of the Azores takes precedence immediately after the Flag of Portugal. So, in the region, it takes precedence above all the remaining flags, including the [[European Flag|European one]] which in mainland Portugal is usually given precedence immediately after the Portuguese flag.

The Azorean flag is to be raised in all public buildings and official ceremonies in the region, together with the Portuguese flag.


When two flagpoles exist, the Portuguese flag occupies the right one and the Azorean flag the left one. With three flagpoles, the Portuguese flag occupies the central one and the Azorean flag the one on the right. With more than three flagpoles, the Portuguese flag occupies the first on the right and the Azorean flag the following.
The name of the archipelago comes from the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] word ''açor'', meaning [[Northern goshawk|goshawk]], because it was supposed to be a common bird at the time of the discovery. However these birds never existed on the islands, they actually were a local subspecies of the [[Common buzzard|buzzard (''Buteo buteo'')]], that was erroneously identified as goshawks by the first explorers.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} The [[Coat of arms of Portugal|Portuguese lesser arms]] are present in the top left corner of the flag.


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
;Notes
;Notes
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Flag of Europe}}
{{Flag of Europe}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Azores, Flag of the}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azores, Flag of the}}
[[Category:Flags of Portugal]]
[[Category:Flags of Portugal]]
[[Category:Flags introduced in 1979]]
[[Category:Government of the Azores|Flag Azores]]
[[Category:Government of the Azores|Flag Azores]]
[[Category:Flags displaying animals]]
[[Category:Flags of dependent territories|Azores]]

Latest revision as of 22:49, 3 November 2024

Azores
Flag of the Azores
UseCivil and state flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion2:3
AdoptedApril 10, 1979
DesignBlue and white bands, superimposed by golden goshawk and surmounted by nine stars with traditional Portuguese shield in the left corner.

The Flag of the Azores (Portuguese: Bandeira dos Açores) is the regional flag of the Portuguese Autonomous Region of the Azores. It is a rectangular bicolour with a field unevenly divided into blue on the hoist, and white on the fly.

It was established on 10 April 1979 by the Regional Assembly of the Azores, being based in the National Flag of Portugal used between 1830 and 1910.

Design

[edit]

The flag construction follows the same proportions and other features of those present in the Flag of Portugal.

Its length is equal to 1.5 times its width, corresponding with an aspect ratio of 2:3.[1]

The field is vertically divided into two colours: blue on the hoist side, and white on the fly. The colour division is made in a way that blue spans 40% of the length and the remaining 60% are filled by white.[1]

Positioned over the border between the blue and the white fields are nine five-sided golden stars in a semi-circular arch over a naturalistic designed golden goshawk, with its wings extended. The top left canton of the flag contains the Portuguese Shield.[1]

History

[edit]
Early 19th century seal of the Azores

Historically, the Azores and its flag are deeply connected to the Flag of Portugal used between 1830 and 1910.

In 1828, the Azorean island of Terceira was taken by the Portuguese Liberals in an event that triggered the Liberal Wars, a civil conflict that opposed the Liberal party headed by the ex-King Peter IV (Emperor Peter I of Brazil) to the Miguelite party headed by his brother King Michael I. The city of Angra at the Terceira, became then the provisional capital of the Regency Council headed by the prominent count of Vila Flor (future first duke of Terceira), governing in the name of the Queen Mary II, daughter of Peter IV.

By decree of 18 October 1830, the Regency Council established a new National Flag, whose field would be blue and white, with the Portuguese Coat of arms in the middle. The blue and white had already been adopted as the national colours of Portugal in 1821, with the justification that those were the heraldic colours of the nation since Count Henry of Portugal. At that time they were however only applied to the national cockade and not to the flag, which remained white with the Portuguese coat of arms in the middle. The first example of the new blue and white flag was embroidered by Mary II herself and raised for the first time at the Fortress of Angra. Initially, the new flag was only used at the Azores islands, which were then the only parts of the Portuguese territory controlled by the Liberals. The new Portuguese flag was so born with a close connection to the Azores.

The 1830-1910 flag of Portugal, raised for the first time at the Terceira, Azores
Flag of the Azores Liberation Front

Eventually, the Liberal Wars ended in 1834 with a victory of the Liberals, who at that time already controlled most of Portugal. A Constitutional Monarchy was then established, lasting until the 5 October 1910 revolution, which replaced it by the First Portuguese Republic. During this period, the blue and white flag was the National Flag of Portugal.

In the late 19th century, some political movements reclaiming an increase of the Azores autonomy adopted a flag which design was very similar with the present Flag of the Azores. The colours of the autonomist flags were thus adopted from the then Portuguese National Flag as to demonstrate the Azores' important role in the establishment of the Portuguese Constitutional Monarchy.

The 1976 Constitution of Portugal established the present Autonomous Region of the Azores. In 1979, the Regional Assembly of the Azores established the symbols of the region, including the Regional Flag. The Azorean Flag came as an adaption of the Portuguese flag used from 1830 until 1910, at the same time being also inspired by the autonomist flags of the late 19th century.

First Autonomist Flag, made in November 1876

Symbolism

[edit]

Blue and white were traditional colours used by the Portuguese nation and also represent the Portuguese Constitutional Monarchy borne in the Azores.

The nine stars symbolize the archipelago's nine islands.

The name of the archipelago comes from the Portuguese word açor, meaning goshawk, because it was supposed to be a common bird at the time of the discovery. However these birds never existed on the islands, they actually were a local subspecies of the buzzard (Buteo buteo), that was erroneously identified as goshawks by the first explorers.

The shield of Portugal present in the top left corner of the flag represents the Portuguese patriotism of the Azorean people.

Protocol

[edit]

In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the Flag of the Azores takes precedence immediately after the Flag of Portugal. So, in the region, it takes precedence above all the remaining flags, including the European one which in mainland Portugal is usually given precedence immediately after the Portuguese flag.

The Azorean flag is to be raised in all public buildings and official ceremonies in the region, together with the Portuguese flag.

When two flagpoles exist, the Portuguese flag occupies the right one and the Azorean flag the left one. With three flagpoles, the Portuguese flag occupies the central one and the Azorean flag the one on the right. With more than three flagpoles, the Portuguese flag occupies the first on the right and the Azorean flag the following.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ a b c Governo Regional dos Açores. "Símbolos - A Bandeira dos Açores" (in Portuguese). Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2012.