The flag of Brazil consists of a blue disc positioned within a yellow rhombus set on a green field. Within the blue disc is a depiction of a sky full of white stars and a curved band which says in green wording "Ordem e Progresso" (English translation being "Order and Progress). The Brazilian flag is commonly referred to as "Verde e amarela" (English translation being "The Green and Yellow") and "Auriverde" (English translation being "The Gold-Green"). The present day flag of Brazil was officially adopted as the country's national flag on 19 November 1889 following the Proclamation of the Republic; however, the design has been amended slightly on several occasions over the years taking it from the 21 stars it featured in 1889 to the 27 stars it was last updated to include on 11 May 1992. The Brazilian flag has been credited as being designed by Raimundo Teixeria Mendes. The flag's ratio is 7:10.
The colours of the Brazilian flag hold various different meanings. The colour green represents the House of Braganza of Pedro I (Brazil's first Emperor). The colour yellow represents the House of Habsburg of Empress Maria Leopoldina (the wife of Pedro I). The colour blue and its white stars represent the colour of the sky and stars over Brazil.
The 27 stars on the Brazilian flag each represent a Brazilian Federative Unit. In total, there are 26 States and 1 Federal Disctrict in Brazil. Brazilian law demands that the flag must be updated in the case of a new State being created or an old State ceasing its existence.
Brazil celebrates its official flag day on 19 November each year, marking the date the country's flag was adopted on in 1889.
The flag of Brazil flying