Azores Flag - Autonomous Region of the

The flag of the Azores is based on a design flown in Portugal from 1830-1910, minus the Portuguese coat of arms. Instead a Goshawk (in Portuguese: Açor) - the symbol of the Azores, replaces the arms in the upper left corner.

Blue and white, the traditional colours of the Portuguese Nation, first appeared in the coat of arms of Henry, Count of Portugal. During 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 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 current flag of the Azores originates from the early flags of the Azores Liberation Front, a right-wing independentist movement which appeared after the Carnation Revolution, to counter fears that Portugal was becoming a Soviet puppet-state. The organization felt that blue and white stood for Portuguese classical liberalism, as opposed to the "totalitarian socialist forces" that would dominate the country in the mid-70's if Soviet dominated.

The name Azores comes from the Portuguese word açor, meaning goshawk, a common bird at the time of discovery. Although never existing on the islands, they actually confused with a local subspecies of the buzzard (erroneously identified as goshawks by the first explorers. The eagle commemorates the celebration of that historical mistake. The nine stars ssymbolise the nine islands of the archipelago, while the Portuguese lesser arms are present in the top left corner of the flag..

Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.