Madeira flag

Madeira flag
	; ;
Vexillological symbol :	?
Aspect ratio:	2: 3
Officially accepted:	September 12, 1978

The flag of the Autonomous Region of Madeira was adopted in 1978 .

Description and meaning

The flag has an aspect ratio of 2: 3 and is divided into three vertical stripes of equal width. The outer stripes are blue, the middle part is gold. The cross of the Order of Christ lies above the latter . The blue color stands for the island location of the region, the golden color for the mild climate and for the areas of the island, to which it owes the wealth of its economy. The Cross of the Order of Christ refers to João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira , the discoverers of the island who were members of the order. The cross symbolizes the connection to Portugal.

history

^?Flags of MDLM and FLAMA

The regulations and the exact representation and symbolism of the flag of Madeira were established on July 28, 1978 by the Council of the Autonomous Region. The official decree (decreto regional n.º 30/78 / M) was published on September 12, 1978. The use of the flag is made possible by the constitution of Portugal. Madeira therefore has the status of an autonomous region with its own constitutional government, which has the right to use its own symbols to visibly differentiate them from the rest of Portugal.

Between 1974 and 1976, the Movimento Democrático de Libertação da Madeira ( Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Madeira ) used a similar flag. Instead of the cross, the Quinas were led on it; five blue heraldic shields arranged in a cross, each with five silver coins, which represent the central element of the coat of arms of Portugal . The US- backed movement sought independence if Portugal had become communist as a result of the Carnation Revolution . Since this did not happen, the movement dissolved. Her military arm was the Frente de Libertação do Arquipélago Madeirense ( Liberation Front of the Madeira Archipelago )

Other flags of Madeira

The 11 districts of Madeira have their own flags, which largely follow the specifications for Portuguese municipal flags , sometimes more, sometimes less. The individual villages also have their own flags.