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FLAGS PORTUGAL/AZORES

The flags of the Azores, the autonomous Atlantic island chain where most Portuguese in California have ties, and the nation of Portugal appear starkly different but they are strongly linked by tradition and culture.

The official red-and-green Portuguese flag is a century old, and has been in use since a revolution in October, 1910 overthrew the monarchy. The emblems on the flag, however, date to the 12th century. The white and blue shield is the arms adopting by Afonso Henriques I after he defeated the Moors to establish the kingdom of Portugal in 1139.

The blue-and-white Azorean flag continues the use of the historic colors of the shield of Afonso Henriques I, but it is much newer. The flag was officially adopted following the 1974 “Carnation Revolution” on the mainland, and symbolizes the Azores’ support of Portuguese traditions.